PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com
THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES (PART 5)
How to relate with Widows and Widowers in Church and Family
Presenter: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Devotional Text: 1 Tim. 5: 3-9
INTRODUCTION:Widows and widowers are those whose life partners have died. A woman whose husband is dead is a widow, whereas, a man whose wife is dead is a widower. Though, the scriptural text of this lesson focuses on the widow and not the widower, the lesson considers the latter only on the basis of a common identity of fate, which borders on the death of life partners. But, the foregoing is not a point for generalisation, since the teaching will strictly beam its searchlight on the widow, and allow the plight of the widower to be implied.
GENERAL REMARKS
Widows who are widows indeed should be honoured {1 Tim. 5:3}
Widows who have children or grandchildren should learn to take care of their own family, {vs. 4}
Widows who are really in need should trust in GOD, and always pray to HIM for help, {vs. 5}
Widows who live in sin are considered dead while alive, {vs. 6}
WIDOWS AND THEIR HONOUR IN CHURCH AND FAMILY
By the injunction of the Holy Scripture, widows are to be honoured. Thus, the expression, “honour widows that are widows indeed,” {1 Tim. 5:3}. And, note that the emphasis on “widows indeed” calls for restriction, as honour is for those who deserve it, {Rom. 13:7}. In other words, the widow who lives in dishonour should not be honoured. In furtherance, the WORDS of our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST that, ... “many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but, none of them was Elias sent, save unto the Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow” {Luke 4:25-26} shows that there are many noble widows, as there are many ignoble ones. Based on the foregoing, this lesson opines that widows like Anna, the prophetess, who;
Serve the LORD in spirit and truth should be honoured, {Luke 2:36-37}
Refuse to go wayward after the death of their husbands should highly be esteemed, {vs. 36-37}
But, the widow who lives in pleasure should not be respected, nor abused, {1 Tim. 5:6}
WIDOWS AND THEIR ECONOMIC WELL BEING
The already cited Sarepta widow {Luke 4:25-26} is a good example of how the LORD our KING and GREAT GOD tackles the economic problems of widows who worship and serve HIM well. In the actual story {1 kings 17:10-14}, one discovers that the woman was at the brink of her last meal, as the conservation shows that ... “when he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? As she was going to get it, he called. “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” As surely, as the LORD your GOD lives, she replied, “I don’t have any bread- only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it- and die, {vs. 10-12}. But, Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me”... “For, this is what the LORD, the GOD of Israel, says: “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land” {v s. 13-14}, which authenticates the biblical truth that;:
GOD is interested in the economic well-being of faithful widows, {1 kings 17: 10-14}
The miraculous provision of oil, to another widow through the ministry of Elisha, for the
settlement of creditors, equally shows that GOD cares for noble widows, economically, {2 kings 4:1-7}
The church should not neglect attending to the economic needs of godly widows, as was
the case in {Acts 6:1}, since pure religion is, the type, in which widows are visited in their afflictions, {James 1:27}
WIDOWS AND THEIR CONSECRATION
Consecrated widows, that is, those who have wholeheartedly offered themselves to GOD and HIS services, deserve honour and respect in church and family. Again, Anna, the prophetess, features as one of the consecrated widows who deserve honour, as the Holy Scripture describes her, “as very old, and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then, was a widow until she was eighty-four years. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying” {Luke 2:36-37}. Thus, she became honoured by GOD, as one of the persons who spoke to the people about JESUS, during HIS child-dedication service in Jerusalem {vs. 38}, and so, she stands out as a holy widow, who may serve the church, and be cared for by the church. To this end, this lesson, equally, states that consecrated widows who deserve honour and respect in church and family are known for their:
Dedication to GOD and HIS services, {vs. 36-38}
Trust and faithful prayers to GOD, for the supply of their needs, {1 Tim. 5:5}
Approach to holy men or women of GOD through whom GOD performs HIS miraculous
works, instead of going after wayward men or women for immorality and unholy benefits, {2 kings 4:1-7}
In conclusion, please note that GOD demands a holy relationship between the rank and file of the Christian believers and widows in church and families that is devoid of any form of hypocrisy which our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST kicked against when HE say “Beware of the scribes which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feast; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers...” to deceive the unsuspecting individuals, an attitude, He says earns one damnation, {Luke 20:46-47}. LEARN TO RELATE WITH WIDOWS IN HOLINESS!
