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.
Summary: True religion begins at home.
Caring for family is one of the great blessings of life. It is also one of the great challenges! Interestingly, putting our religion into practice is a very similar challenge.
In some cultures today, and more commonly many years ago, the family was the primary unit of survival. The family hierarchy was an important structure that held the family together. Honoring one’s elders is hardwired into such cultures.
Old age is, in some ways, the ultimate test of being a parent. Do your kids respect and love you? Are they willing to take care of you when you need help?
Many people are obsessed with “I.” This is as true now as it was six thousand years ago. These people are so busy trying to get what they want that there is no time for anyone else.
God’s Word changes all of that.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
The Fifth Commandment sets the stage — honor your parents.
Leaving your parents alone when they are old or letting them go hungry is not how we honor our parents. Honoring parents takes time and commitment. Most of all, it requires true love (agapē).
And what does all of this have to do with religion?
In his letter to the twelve tribes of Israel, James writes:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
After all, what is religion?
Isn’t it our commitment to God? Some associate religion with rules, and for the Jews, there is a reason for this, but for Christians, true religion is loving God above all else and our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).
Widows who have children and grandchildren who fear God should have no reason to fear hunger and loneliness. Children whose mother is alone in the world can honor God by caring for an old woman who can no longer care for herself.
Application: Honor your father and your mother, especially when they are old.
Food for Thought: What do we have to ‘repay’ our parents for?
Now that is a question that can be answers in a myriad of ways. The most obvious being that they protected us, provided for us, and prepared us for life. They were God’s instruments to bring us into the world and to shelter us from the pain that is so prevalent within it. Most parents are flawed but good parents who love their children and sacrifice for them. At some point, it is out turn to care for them as they did for us (and we can honor and love them even before they are old).
Thank you, Rich!
Nicely said! 🙂
I thought about this question a lot this morning. It sent me on a journey of memories with my own parents and grandparents.
I think it is safe to say that the “fruit” of a parent’s love, care, attention, and sacrifice is a grown person who is moral, takes care of themselves and others, and contributes positively to society. For the parents that raise their children in Christ, those three things flow out of the child’s relationship with God, and that foundation was laid down by the parents. So, the repayment is in the gratitude the child has toward the parents, which is demonstrated in the way the child then cares for the parent when they are older. Giving back the love, care, attention, and sacrifice given to them. The repayment is “you once carried the weight, now I carry the weight.”
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Thank you, Chris!
It is interesting how life turns back on itself as we get older. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Paul forgot one important people group. The widowers like me. You all can make it up for Paul. Just send money.
Paul
Paul
You never miss a trick!
The money is in the mail!
🙂
😂
What do we have to ‘repay’ our parents for?
Some must give up on hoping their parents will meet their
emotional needs. Discovering your parents are handicapped, not your emotional, spiritual, psychological caretakers can be a great shock for some people. When this continues into adulthood, it is time to physically and psychology separate yourself from the source of deep physical and emotional abuse you have been born into.
Physical independence comes at a young age and eventual spiritual freedom comes from God as His love heals all wounds.
What can you do? I tried with all my strength to lead my parents to Jesus, but they had no use for my life as a believer in Jesus, so
eventually I simply left them alone and and at some point they passed on to face Jesus as they were.
I received Jesus at 30 years old and have done all I can to ‘repay’ Him for His great patience and love for me as His servant. Turning from sin and to bible studies, spiritual and physical service, to all who will allow me has brought the peace and understanding of God which surpasses all understanding.
My physical body is fruit of their bodies, but my spiritual life and works are the product of our Great, Almighty God!
Thank you, Ron.
That is a deeply poignant testimony. We cannot choose the world we are born into, but God can choose us no matter what that world looks like. Thank you for reminding us of God’s faithfulness.