Widows

[MennoSota]

What proactive plans does your church have in regard to caring for widows?

I notice many churches generally have no plan and often assume that family members are taking care of mom's who have had their husband die.

Are we, the church, failing in God's command that we care for widows and orphans?

 

[JamesL]

What proactive plans does your church have in regard to caring for widows?

I notice many churches generally have no plan and often assume that family members are taking care of mom's who have had their husband die.

Are we, the church, failing in God's command that we care for widows and orphans?

Serious question to ponder:

In a time when life insurance, retirement pensions and Social Security reign, is that a command for us?

 

[Baptist Believer]

Serious question to ponder:

In a time when life insurance, retirement pensions and Social Security reign, is that a command for us?

Care is not simply financial, but it is for all of life. One of the greatest issues that widows and widowers face is crippling loneliness. The church can help there and it doesn't cost much, if anything.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

In a time when life insurance, retirement pensions and Social Security reign, is that a command for us?

I have to stop and say that that has always struck me as a dangerous sentiment. Because the government does not bring with it the Gospel, and it is not the holy people working to God's glory.

Also, the church is called to care for its own to the point of genuinely sacrificial giving on the part of Believers. There are so many verses on this, that I would have to almost reference at least one verse per New Testament book to do an exhaustive treatment.

I'm not being angry or anything, its just that your sentiment seems to possess the distinct ability of leading people astray from biblical commands. I felt I needed to correct it immediately. Of course though, widows who are provided for already should not burden the church (1 Timothy 5:3-10).

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Care is not simply financial, but it is for all of life. One of the greatest issues that widows and widowers face is crippling loneliness. The church can help there and it doesn't cost much, if anything.

Amen. I agree entirely.

 

[JamesL]

Just to clarify, I wasn't advocating. I was just presenting food for thought. That's why I wrote "serious question to ponder"

Too many times, people see something in the bible saying "do____" or "don't do_____" and give no thought to context.

Actually, I believe Americans have shaped our society in such a way that it's near impossible to live in such a way to honor some biblical principles.

The communal aspect of the early church (and Israel before that) would be mocked by most believers today. People are so career minded, or activity minded, that most have no way of seeing needs in the church.

As Baptist Believer said, it's more thsn monetary. But people seem content to *maybe* give a few bucks and never take a second look.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Just to clarify, I wasn't advocating. I was just presenting food for thought. That's why I wrote "serious question to ponder"

I'm sorry I missed that.

The communal aspect of the early church (and Israel before that) would be mocked by most believers today. People are so career minded, or activity minded, that most have no way of seeing needs in the church.

As Baptist Believer said, it's more thsn monetary. But people seem content to *maybe* give a few bucks and never take a second look.

Those Believers are being choked by the weeds and thorns in the parable of the sower, though. I was once one of them for years, so I understand they just need help, correction, and love though.

Too many times, people see something in the bible saying "do____" or "don't do_____" and give no thought to context.

Paul was all about contextualizing the Gospel to his audience, so I definitely agree with you.

 

[MennoSota]

Well, so far I see that no one has a church that proactively looks out for its widows.
I find it interesting how we (myself included) tend to walk around biblical commands that are for the church. We pass it off as a 1st century culture or we find another excuse to not accomplish a task that we are commissioned to accomplish.
I'm not convinced we are to give that blessing of caring for widows and orphans to the State.

 

[TCassidy]

Well, so far I see that no one has a church that proactively looks out for its widows.

That is pure "holier than thou" nonsense. Because we don't choose to blab our church's compassionate works before the whole world does not mean our congregation is absent those works.

Matthew 6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,
4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

[MennoSota]

That is pure "holier than thou" nonsense. Because we don't choose to blab our church's compassionate works before the whole world does not mean our congregation is absent those works.

Matthew 6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,
4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

It's a command to the churches. No holier than thou because my church has no plan and doesn't look out for its widows.
This command is in the bible, yet we ignore it.
Why?

 

[Salty]

Well, so far I see that no one has a church that proactively looks out for its widows.
.

Yet many churches have all kinds of programs for youth.

 

[MennoSota]

Yet many churches have all kinds of programs for youth.

Another subject for sure. We have adopted public school methods from Dewey and placed them in the church.
Here I am concerned about our failure to have any plan to care for widows. I think the person who talked about life insurance and pensions has some merit. I also think that our visitation efforts are not up to snuff in regard to widows. We seem to have this mentality (myself included) of leaving it for someone else like the pastor to do. We don't have a strategy, as a church, to ensure that our widows are spiritually and emotionally cared for, let alone physically cared for.
This is just something that is on my heart. TC, I don't mean to make you feel guilty. I just am wondering why this command gets ignored in our churches.

 

[Rob_BW]

Lol, guilty? Judging from TC's home base, I would wager that his interaction and support of widows is robust, to say the least.

Offhand, in our local church, I can think of yardwork, home improvements, rides to the doctors office, meals, hospital visits, money to help with bills...and I'm sure instances I don't know about exceed those that I do.

Now, if you'd like to discuss methods, such as a standing widows committee or some other way of tracking care outside of the deacons, I'm all ears. I'm sure we could all learn from each other.

 

[Tennessee Gal]

I believe an area the church can help a widow, especially if she doesn't have family near by is to help with minor home repairs. I have a friend who doesn't live near her married children. She is active and faithful to her church.There are times something needs repaired and the men say they will help and then put it off or don't do it at all. She didn't ask often and now doesn't ask at all. She doesn't feel valued. She is also on a very limited budget and can't afford to hire things done .

 

[Baptist Believer]

Well, so far I see that no one has a church that proactively looks out for its widows.

Where did you get that idea?

My church has all sorts of things going on to help widows and widowers in emotional, spiritual and practical ways. We just had a special prayer service midweek for widows/widowers. We have a program, led through the deacon body, to look in on widows, widowers and shut-ins to visit, take meals/food, and to clean their houses and do repairs if they are not able to do them. Financial assistance is also provided based on needs of the membership, with wealthier members of the church quietly financing helpful gifts. (That actually extends to other members of the church. A couple of years ago when I was in the throes of major health issues and severe cash flow problems because I couldn't work for a few months following a massive surgery, one of the ministers of our church stopped by and she dropped off a sack of groceries with a couple of gift cards for a local grocery store to get specific things. We had not told anyone that we were in need, but our membership is shrewd and thoughtful enough to discern that some help would be appreciated.)

We also have a group of people who regularly sit with the ill and elderly, and also with families while they wait while their loved ones are in surgery. There are many other things that we do that I'm sure I don't know about, but I can tell you of the things above because I have either been involved in that service or have been the recipient of that blessing.

 

[Baptist Believer]

This command is in the bible, yet we ignore it.

Please speak only for yourself, "we" don't.

Why?

Good question.

 

[MennoSota]

Where did you get that idea?

My church has all sorts of things going on to help widows and widowers in emotional, spiritual and practical ways. We just had a special prayer service midweek for widows/widowers. We have a program, led through the deacon body, to look in on widows, widowers and shut-ins to visit, take meals/food, and to clean their houses and do repairs if they are not able to do them. Financial assistance is also provided based on needs of the membership, with wealthier members of the church quietly financing helpful gifts. (That actually extends to other members of the church. A couple of years ago when I was in the throes of major health issues and severe cash flow problems because I couldn't work for a few months following a massive surgery, one of the ministers of our church stopped by and she dropped off a sack of groceries with a couple of gift cards for a local grocery store to get specific things. We had not told anyone that we were in need, but our membership is shrewd and thoughtful enough to discern that some help would be appreciated.)

We also have a group of people who regularly sit with the ill and elderly, and also with families while they wait while their loved ones are in surgery. There are many other things that we do that I'm sure I don't know about, but I can tell you of the things above because I have either been involved in that service or have been the recipient of that blessing.

This is great! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Reynolds]

What proactive plans does your church have in regard to caring for widows?

I notice many churches generally have no plan and often assume that family members are taking care of mom's who have had their husband die.

Are we, the church, failing in God's command that we care for widows and orphans?

I think the Biblical instructions are for dealing with true widows. Family members bear the responsibility when present.

 

[Yeshua1]

What proactive plans does your church have in regard to caring for widows?

I notice many churches generally have no plan and often assume that family members are taking care of mom's who have had their husband die.

Are we, the church, failing in God's command that we care for widows and orphans?

that command was reapplied to us under the New Covenant also!

 

[TCassidy]

yet we ignore it.
Why?

We don't. You do.

Why? Backslidden?