Pastor Ralph Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare those who refuse this responsibility? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? It IS our responsibility. They are not to be left without care when we are able to provide for them, or to ignore them and expect the church or state to provide for them. According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? He compares it to walking in faith...or in todays vernacular "where the rubber meets the road" of our faith...."walking our talk" to love one another. In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? Grandparents provided for their children who are the parents of these....who during their most productive years took care of the next generation. If the parents and grandparents are in need in their less productive years, the children are to help meet their needs. Returning the care they received during the growing up years and perhaps college as well. To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? He says the one who ignores the needs of family "has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? It's our Christian duty to minister to the needs of our Christian famlies. We express our love for God by providing for the needs of the least of them. We should not allow them to become wards of the States or a burden on the Christian community. When we don't we deny the faith we claim to have and are worse than unbelievers Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. When we couldn't care for ourselves our mother and fathers cared for us. We honor our father and mother by doing the same: our repayment is a commitment to God. Those who fail to exercise this responsibility are unfaithful and an infidel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia A Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? We have the responsibility to take care of them when they need help. According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? This is our Christian responsibility just as Christ cares for us. In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? Taking care of older parents and others is a repayment for what they did for us. To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? One who refuses to do this is worse than an unbeliever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? The Bible is quite clear on this point. Of course, we already know that we are called to honor our mother and father. (Exodus 20:12) As Scripture says, children and grandchildren "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." (1 Tim. 5:4) The Apostle Paul is quite adamant: "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." (1 Tim. 5:8) Caring for an aging parent is a responsibility few people ever expect or envision. We avoid thinking about our parents falling ill or growing weak. We don't feel equipped to handle the welfare of those who raised us. Confusion, sadness, helplessness jar us during this unsettling transition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? In Ironside's commentary he says "If you are not gracious and kind to the old, the day may come when you yourself will be old and you will reap what you sow. We who can do so are to care for our older relatives. This is just ordinary Christianity in action." It is a privilege God gives us to have aging family members with us long enough that they need care. We should care with respect and humility for their wellbeing and dignity. Time marches on and it is our turn next if we remain here long enough. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 "You can give without loving but you can't love without giving." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJeff Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Instead of putting our elderly parents in an old folks home we should care and nurture them as they did for us on our youth (repaying our debt). This was the law of the Hebrews and preached by Christ (Matt 15:4-6). It is an expression of our faith. To deny our responsibilty is to be as a non-believer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elwood C O'Dell Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 It is our responsibility, as a part of their family, to minister to them in a way that is dignified, so that they will not be embarrassed, humiliated, or ridiculed and so they will not be a burden to others. We need to do this in a way that is pleasing to God and brings honor and glory to Him. This can be seen as a payment of honor to those who supplied for us when we were young. To not take this responsibility seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snaps Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? We have as much responsibility to help aging family members as we have to help newborn babies. It's all part of the deal. It is human nature to try to avoid expensive responsibilities. In the Old Testament senior pharisees are rebuked for finding excuses not to care for aging parents, (They would say that the money that should be devoted to that is given to God as a gift. I think God would spit on it!). Christians are to rejoice in fulfilling not only the law, but in going beyond it to fulfill also its spirit of love and care. This repays the debt of care given us by our elders (parents, aunts etc) when we were dependent on them as children. Those who refuse this responsibility are considered lower than unbelievers (a) because unbelievers take care of their elders usually, and ( because they know the love of God will not tolerate such behaviour, yet fly right in the face of God to neglect such a duty of care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 We are expected to help care for aging parents or grandparents. This is our Christian responsibility to take care of our own families. Our parents provided for us when we were younger--we now are in the opposite position--caring for them because they can no longer take care of themselves. Refusing this responsibility would make us worse than infidels--unbelievers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Q1. (1Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this Christian responsibility? In what way is this "a repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? Family members have a universally recognized duty to care for each other. Even unbelievers acknowledge this. If we as Christians fail here, we behave contrary to the teaching of our faith and behave worse than the typical unbeliever who helps his aging family members. The important thing is that we show love and concern and do all we can to help each other. If the need arises, we should show practical godliness at home by repaying our parent/s for all that they have done for us. It is a poor testament to our Christian faith if we neglect this duty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? As Christians we are told that it is our responsibility to take care of our aging family members,as they in most cases would have done for us as we grew up.In doing this we free the church of that responsibility and allow them to look after others who might not have loved ones or family to care for them.We must remember that as members of Christ's church we all belong to one big family and one of the duties of the church is to look after widows and aging members.This subject often gets swept under the mat and the body (the church) neglects its duties in this regard.Often our seniors are just looking for 'love' (something we should all have an abundance of )and companionship. If we can't tend our own flock how do we intend to tend the flocks that the Lord brings into the fold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahala p.s. Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? To help aging family members we have responsibilities of caring and provide for them According to Paul, this is our Christian responsibility in ways that provides for our own family and so repays their parents and grandparents This is a "repayment" of a debt in a way that repays them for something that our parents and grandparents do for us when we were child Paul compares those who refuse this responsibility to those who deny the faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? We have the same responsibility they had for us as their children, providing for them, seeing to their needs and caring for them in sickness. It is a debt to us because they have provided the same care for us as we grew into adults,now as they get into senior years it becomes our duty to reverse the role and see to all their needs. We are responsibile because God told us to love our parents and respect them and without showing them the respect of taking on their need as they get older we are disobeying God. If we refuse our duty then we are worse than unbelievers because they at least take care of their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iam4-1god Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility We need to be responsible for our parents, especially when one has passed on, and one is left. I learned this when my Dad passed away, and my Mother was left. She was diabetic, and in need of constant care. My older sister took care of Mom, and then, when things got tough, she put Mom in a nursing home. Now, I am not saying anything bad about nursing homes-we need them because we cannot always be there to do what needs to be done. We have to work, and it can get very expensive to care for an elderly person. But, on the other hand, these people took care of us when we were babies, and we owe it to them to take care of them when they cannot take care of themselves. Family should take care of family. That is one of the great things about having a family. Those who refuse this responsibility are no less than infidels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raider Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 As believers we are expected to provide for are aging family members, if we do not provide for our relatives especially, then we denied our faith. This is repayment because they took care of us in our time of need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignited Soul Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 We are admonished to put our religion into practice by caring for our own families. This is considered pleasing to God and repaying our parents and grandparents for caring for us. If we neglect to take care of our own families we are considered to have denied the faith and worse than an unbeliever." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbine Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Our responsiblity is to help our elders and care for them in a way that is pleasing to God. We should not do it just to please God but because we want to and get a joy out of helping them. This is a repayment of debt like repaying a loan or a favor. While we were young our elders took care of us. Now that we're able to help them we should. Paul compares this to sinners. People who refuse the faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moses 4 Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? In dealing with an elder, encourage rather than rebuke; and treat all Christians with the same affection you show to your own family. Distinguish between those widows who fix their hopes on God, and those who seek to gratify themselves. Generally speaking, widows should be provided for by their relatives. Let the church support only those widows in need who are over sixty years old, and who evidence the highest kind of character. As for the younger widows, experience shows that for their own sakes they might better remarry. Pax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roseangela Agunda Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? The responsibility we have is for providing for them for this is according to our faith, putting it into practise. It is a repaying of debt paying for what they did for us, doing what they did for us. Paul compares those who refuse this reponsibity worse than unbelievers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Our responsibility to help aging family members is to see they have enough money and food, and help to do the things they can no longer do for themselves. As Christians we are drawn to do even more for aging family members because we have God's Love in us as well as filial love. It is a repayment of a debt because we are giving support to our elders in their time of need to thank them for the love, support and kindness they gave us when we were young and growing up. Paul says that anyone who ignores the needs of elderly family members is worse that an unbeliever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin D Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 We have responsibilities to make sure our aging family members are cared for. As Christians, we are to honor our father and our mother. Also, I believe caring for aging people extends beyond our own family members. This is like a repayment for all they have done for us in our lives. Paul says those who refuse this responibility have denied their faith and are worse than an infidel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? We are to be care givers. I find it very disturbing that today many children are abusing their parents, instead of giving them honor. According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In all the ways deemed necessary, being financial, health, love, etc; so the church does not have to take on an added responsibility, which God deemed to the family. In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? God cared for us, He sent His Son, so we may become part of God's family - we also are to repay this love by carrying for our family, by following the example set before us, to love one another, and it begins in the home. Love seen in our obedience is the repayment we owe to our parents who cared for us. To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? Faith demands works and fruit. If a believer is one who refuse to take care of one's family, they are denying the sound doctrine of faith - if the heathen are taught to take care of their aged parents and do it, we who believe and do not do as we say, are worse, we are infidels. Show me your works and I will see your faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
servant for Christ Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? To help the aging we are to take care of them and provide suppot for their need. It is our Christian responsibility because they are part of our family, God's family. It is a repayment for the way they have taken care of us through the years. For those who refuse this responsibility is worse then an unbeliever, an infidel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCollum Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? Carrying for them is God's way, For it is a way that we show our thanks for them carring for us and in a sense some re-pay for what they did for us. Fail to do so is to deny the very faith we claims to beleive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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