Chapter 5 begins with a good piece of advice that might be labeled common sense. The biggest problem with common sense, of course, is that it is quite un-common! To behave towards these different groups with humility and integrity should be second nature, but I find it is an area that needs to be taught over and over.
The issue of care for widows had a cultural dimension to it. Widows in this society, especially those without sons or extended family would have been homeless and powerless. The care for these women would have fallen to the church. Paul is trying here to help Timothy discern who is "really" a widow, and how to make use of what I am sure were limited resources and an endless need.
Verses 17 - 22 deals with pastors or Elders that lead the congregations. They are to be paid for their labors, and their integrity is to be protected. Remember, Timothy is being written by Paul, a pastor who has worked for free so as not to be a burden, and whose integrity has been the target of many. Paul writes from experience and from his heart here.
Paul councils young Timothy to have a little wine for his stomach ailments in verse 23. I note this only because of its foreign feel to this tea totaling Methodist.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
3 comments:
What an interesting chapter. You know, we go through the Bible learning lots of practical things, but to actually learn about how/when to care for widows in the church is certainly eye-opening. The church does have an obligation to pay for people, but the church was also more of a government figure back then too, right? I mean, today, the government would probably take care of a widow with social security and what-not, but that was not the case back then. Where does that leave them? At the door of the church. The lines that are drawn in the sand here by Paul are drawn in these days by the government- with their incredibly specific and clear criteria.
Do people ever think that you as a pastor should not get paid and/or get paid too much? I bet those thoughts go through people's minds at churches everywhere - but do they really know how far those dollars go?
The best part of working at Aldersgate was having a boss that prayed for me. The paycheck was small, but the community and the spiritual connections were incredible.
My mom always told me ginger-ale and saltine crackers for stomach ailments -- I work at the Pharmacy at Wegmans though, and it's incredible to see how many things people try to make their stomach feel better.
Have they tried a little Wine? :-)
Thanks Bill for helping this make more sense.
-Marsh
Hi Marshall,
I know that you are aware of this, but for others that might read this I will just caution to remeber there is a great difference between the church in the US and our government and the global church and the care the other governments provide. I feel that the church gave up our responsibility, and we would probably be a healthier society if the help for thise in need was handled locally by the churches.
I sometimes get questions about being paid for the ministry, and I sometime have questions of my own! Tent maker ministries - where a pastor works a full time job and the laity have to help carry the load of ministry tasks has always been very attractive to me. Who knows, maybe soemday I'll be called into that.
A little wine for the stomach is hard advice for some in our society, butit would have been good home remedy advice in Paul's day. Wine, not whine!
Bill
"Do not ordain anyone hastily."
I guess this is one verse the UMC takes quite seriously!
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