Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)
Providing for Others
Early on in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce worked with chambers, associations, and businesses to provide assistance and aid for Ukrainian businesses operating during that time, in order to support Ukrainians and the Ukrainian Army. Canadian employers were encouraged to list employment opportunities on the Government of Canada’s Jobs for Ukraine Job Board to help Ukrainian migrants find employment when they arrived in Canada. Ukrainian job seekers could also use the job board to find opportunities.
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The family is God’s idea. He does refer to Himself as “Father” after all, and Jesus is His Son. Jesus was born into a human family and grew up with brothers and sisters. On the cross, in spite of His incredible pain, He took the time to make sure that the disciple John would take care of His mother after His death, resurrection and ascension. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Bible gives some very clear instructions to families. The apostle Paul wrote this to his young friend in 1 Timothy 5:8: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” These are really strong words from Paul. God gave us the family. When we are young, our parents care for us, pouring their lives into ours. As our parents age, the tables turn. As followers of Jesus, we are called to take care of them – Paul says if we don’t, we have denied our faith. His point is that we can’t have experienced the love of God and not love those God has given us as family. Take care of them!
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley