One of my clearest memories from childhood is watching my dad take care of my maternal grandparents. He would come home from a long day’s work and then help them with whatever they needed. When my grandpa died, dad stepped up his efforts even more and I also moved into the back room of my grandma’s trailer. I do not recall if this move was his idea or mine. I just did it because it seemed the right thing to do.

Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. -1 Timothy 5:3-4

Consciously or unconsciously, my dad was teaching me godliness. She was not even his mother, but she was part of the family. His tireless effort for my grandma until the day she died modeled the type of widow’s care Paul insisted on within the church. For a believer not to do such things would be unthinkable.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

-1 Timothy 5:8

Paul was definitely not being PC here with this comparison between believers and unbelievers! Insiders should be better morally than outsiders. Insiders are held to a higher standard because they belong to God. Jesus made a similar statement in the Sermon on the Mount.

You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. -Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus called His listeners to be different than the Gentiles, to be better. God’s people are called to a higher standard than the “outsiders.” The “outsiders” love their friends. There is nothing special or challenging about this. Followers are instructed to do the hard thing, love their enemies. Failure to do so is only living up to the standard of a Gentile…unthinkable! In 1 Timothy 5, Paul implies that caring for family, like loving our friends, is just something you do. Even those outside the church do that! Failure to do so would be unthinkable! Paul said a person who refuses to care for their family has “denied or rejected the faith.” In other words, an unbeliever is more acceptable to God than them!

Memorizing scripture is important. Learning to pray is important. However, learning to serve is equally necessary. As we raise our kids, let us set the right example for them concerning both their physical and spiritual families. Taking care of our own is one of the best lessons we can provide in how to be like Jesus.