And
these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his
own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infidel.
Paul teaches Timothy, that Timothy is to “charge,” that is teach or
command widows in his congregation not to spend their time being pleasure
seekers and for male children and nephews to take care of the elderly women in their
families. For if a man will not provide for his own family, he has denied the
faith and is worse than an infidel.
For this reason, it is very important, men, for us to know how to work
and provide for our families. Now, God is not saying that if a man has a
disability that hinders him from being able to provide or if he is ill that he
has denied the Faith, but that is the exception, not the rule. A man must
provide for his own. Take care that Paul is not only referring to one’s
immediate family, but to extended family (note the directive to nephews earlier
on in the passage). Because of this, it
is wise for each young man to develop a variety of skills, stay out of debt,
save, and have some wisdom and business savvy. If a man has a secure
financial position for his own immediate household, then he will be in a much
better position to take a widow in the family into his home or to provide for
her another way. But if a man is lazy, enslaved by debt and caught up in
chasing material pleasures himself, he will hinder himself by setting up
temptations and obstacles to unfeigned obedience to God’s Word.
1 Tim 5:7-8 (KJV)
