Serve your family...

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul gives words of instruction concerning care for widows that have implications for service to every relative.

“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:3-8, NIV)

So it’s God’s will that we serve our family. He wants us to care for our elders, especially those who are in dire financial straits.

God’s plan is for every husband to love his wife and give himself up for her. Remember what I wrote earlier this week. There is to be NO lording it over others among believers. That applies to husbands. Any husband who is overbearing or capricious in his demands is not following Christ. Men, give of yourself to your wife. Serve her with gladness.

Wives, in turn, God asks you to submit to your husband as unto the Lord, showing respect.

It’s our God’s command that each father serve his children through careful instruction and that each child serves by obey his mother and father.

Put your faith into action. Serve your family. Care for their needs. Look not only to your own interests, but also to those of others. Brothers. Sisters. Aunts. Uncles. Grandparents.

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