Sun. Aug. 2, 2009 (Janice Kreider)

Janice Kreider addressed the text from 1 Timothy 5 that deals with the duty to care for others, specifically widows. The text seems critical of widows, suggesting limitations of financial aid for some widows and accusations of heresy and gossip against others. This critical approach to the care of widows is puzzling given the Old Testament stress on caring for widows. Jesus, just before his death, tells one of his disciples to look after his mother, presumably a widow. A key question is why the text suggests putting limits on financial aid to widows. Many women were attracted to Christianity, some might have converted while their husbands did not and might have divorced their wives. The advice to cutback aid to certain widows is likely based on a shortage of funds. Widows did not have today’s option of staying widowed and surviving financially. The encouragement for younger widows to remarry was an attempt to get them back into a patriarchal system. It is preferable to writer to heed Paul’s teaching; in Christ there is no male or female. (HN) Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 using your browser's preferred media player.