Title: Practical Faith / Topic: Holy Living

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22; 2 Chronicles 23; 1 Timothy 5

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:4, 8, 16
4 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...
8 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...
16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Observation: Paul keeps it real, bringing practical instruction to Timothy concerning people with financial needs in the church. The long and short of it is this: every believer should help his family members as an expression of his love for the Lord.

Application: I love the practicality of the Christian faith! If we don't keep it real by applying the love and sacrifice that is a part of our Christian creeds to taking care of our family members in need, then our faith itself isn't real. Paul says neglect of family provision means a denial of the faith! That's strong stuff.

Bottom line: Faith starts at home. We must strive to make what we believe have an impact on those who we have the most immediate and significant responsibility. If it doesn't work at home, it doesn't work at all.

Prayer: Lord, help all of us to make it real at home. Show us how to bear the burdens for ourselves and those whom You have placed in our care. May our faith cause us to be excellent in our relationships within our homes and even to our extended families.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.