24 June 2019 – 1 Timothy 5:6 (NIV)

24 June 2019 – 1 Timothy 5:6 (NIV)

Scripture

But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

Reflection

Paul had two great disciples. One of them was Timothy of Ephesus and the other was Titus of Crete. To raise the two disciples as important leaders, the Apostle Paul wrote the book of 1, 2 Timothy and Titus.

There was a lot of confusion in the early churches. Christian leaders didn’t have enough experience in running a community, and there were no real principles because there were no definite doctrines. In this chaotic environment, church leaders had to deal with conflicts in the church. One example is the issue of widows. They were lower on the social ladder. Thus, they got a lot of help from the church members. However, although some of those widows were favored from the church, they caused sexual and financial problems in the church. In today’s Bible verse, Paul teaches the church leaders to treat such widows as spiritually dead.

The evil of the world attacks the church in a more ingenious way than we think. Even the church can be shaken by the issue of charity and good deeds. Therefore, we all should solve many problems in God’s community with God’s wisdom, not our wisdom.

God’s wisdom is given by Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. When we ask for wisdom to Holy Spirit, God will give you the discernment to keep our community.

Thoughts for the day

  • What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
  • What does this passage tell you about humanity?
  • What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
  • How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
  • Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.

Prayer

How can I show God to those around me? Ask for guidance or pray for an opportunity to share your relationship with God with the world today.

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By |2019-06-24T06:27:09+08:00June 24th, 2019|Categories: Week 4|Comments Off on 24 June 2019 – 1 Timothy 5:6 (NIV)

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Con Loggenberg is a native South African and the Discipleship Director at Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF). He holds a B.Sc. degree and a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Quantity Surveying, a B.Th. (Hons) degree in Theology and an M.Th. degree in Theology. He and his Texan wife, twin boys and daughter live in Shanghai, China.