I learned at an early age that we don’t want to be put on every list. Nobody wants to lose a spouse. In the first century world, widows without children had no one to support them as they grew older. The church made lists of widows and took care of them. Remember in Acts 6, the church fed the widows. As Paul instructs Timothy, he reminds him to take care of the widows. Some had family who could provide for them. Some widows were left alone and put their faith in God praying day and night. Each family is responsible to take care of their own family members. Some members have no family.
Think of some of the widows and widowers you have known. Ruth Pomykol at my first church once said to me, “When your children are young they step on your toes; when they get older they step on your heart.” Bert Langford worked on the roof as we built a building at another church. She was 69 years old! So many come to mind. Paul describes them in these verses. Faithful to their spouses, they spend their lives doing good. Tabitha comes to mind. This gracious gazelle cared capably for so many in Joppa before she died (Acts 9:36-42). Paul offers four examples. Widows bring up children, show hospitality, wash the feet of God’s people, and help the troubled. As they help others, they surely deserve the help of the people of God.
Tallowood's Deacon-Widow banquet offers a beautiful opportunity to put this into practice. The church takes care for the needs of these special members whose lives are full of goodness. We care for each other because God takes such good care of all of us. Peter wrote, “Cast your cares upon the Lord, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Well, he does. So well!
