March 6, 2011:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“Caring for Those In Need”

"Enroll widows older than sixty, wife of one husband, a reputation for good works - - she has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of believers, helped in difficult times, accompanied by all kinds of good works." From I Timothy 5:9-10

Every day of the week I receive devotional messages from our national United Church of Christ. This past week I was particularly struck by the reflection of Anthony B. Robinson, a U.C.C. speaker, teacher and author. Tony pointed out that caring for the vulnerable — being concerned about those at life’s margins — is a core practice of the Christian Church. The New Testatment writers speak of this often as "caring for the widows and orphans." This is both because widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable in the First Century, but also as a symbolic shorthand for all the vulnerable people of society. Today that might include others: the elderly, children without caring parents, the poor, the homeless, the mentally ill, the disabled.

In this passage, an author in the next generation after Paul imagines him speaking to a young pastor. "Paul" is instructing "Timothy" on which widows are to receive the congregation’s aid and support. He says that those receiving such aid are also expected to do some things as well as to avoid other things. They are to do "good works, practice hospitality, and help during difficult times." They are to avoid "laziness, gossip and meddling."

I don’t believe this should be seen as a "means test" to decide who is worthy of our help. Rather, I think it reminds us of all those wonderful older people — men and women — who, over the years, have done so much for others. Not only do they deserve our support, they still have much to give. They are not to be seen as objects of charity but as those who have shared so much with us. Older people like this give the church its character. We are indebted to them.

All of us need to be both givers and receivers. At different times in our lives we will do both. We need others’ help and care. We also have our gifts and abilities to share with those who need them. When we turn some people into receivers only we can miss their full humanity. When we are unwilling to be receivers we will not only become impoverished ourselves, we also deny others the opportunity to serve us. We should all be generous givers and grateful receivers. That is what it means to be a Christian family.

Love,
Pastor Dave