Care for Needy
Where Timothy is serving as a pastor, widows would have been a disadvantaged group. Men owned the property and businesses and had the jobs. When the husband died, it was likely his widow would be left with nothing. Though she had done nothing wrong, she suffered. Paul wants the widows to find ways to care for themselves; commands family to care for these women; and, if no other option is available, wants the church to care for them.
Thankfully, widows are allowed to inherit property today, but we still have people in our communities who are in need. Paul’s advice is still valuable. People should be encouraged to use what they have to meet their own needs. When that is not an option, family should be encouraged to provide. When those options fail, the people in the church should step in.