Care in the Christian Home
We move into week three of our Month of Mission. We're talking about "Unity in the Family" as we are "Stronger Together."| If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1Timothy5:8) |
According to Pope John XXIII, "The family is the first essential cell of human society, it is from the family that citizens come to birth and it is within the family that they find the first school of the social virtues that are the animating principle of the existence and development of society itself". One can tell from this quote how important and essential a family is. It comes as no surprise that Paul in his instruction to Timothy took time to address this important aspect of the community - the household.
Paul is writing to Timothy, a young pastor, instructing him on the proper care and oversight of the congregation. In this pastoral letter, Paul addresses various issues that includes the treatment of widows, the qualifications of elders, deacons and the character and conduct of church members. Our text falls within the context of the instruction on the care of widows. Paul shows Timothy what Christian life among the household of God should look like.
In this verse Paul emphasizes the importance of family by reminding believers of their obligation to take care of their households. For Paul believers have an obligation to take good care of their families and failing to care for one's family is a serious spiritual offense that is in parallel with the core Christian beliefs. Equating neglecting care of one's household to unbelief shows how deeply Paul views the importance of care in a Christian household.
Why is care in the Christian household important for us today? Children from households in which they are taken good care of can be agents of change and transformation on the society. Charity begins at home, it starts in the household and it cascades down into the society. The way they are cared for in their household is the same way they will care for others in the society. Christian care is built on the foundation of faith, hope and love. Our love, compassion and care comes from knowing Christ and the gift of grace, and our obligation to care for our households is rooted in this understanding.
For Paul in 1 Timothy 5, the household as a place of spiritual growth: Paul sees the household as a place where individuals can learn and grow spiritually and serve one another. In a world in which the understanding of household is now complex, Paul is reminding us the importance of care in the household. Our obligation to take care of our households should be rooted in the principles of family responsibility and mutual care and knowing that households are first essential cells of human society.
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Rev Tatenda Garande is married to Juliet, a father to Kyle and Kylie. He is currently serving at Trinity Presbyterian Church Gweru, in the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.
