1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Sometimes as Christians and churches and even families we
fail in our responsibilities as described in God’s word. Not in one area, but
many areas of life, as God has commanded. We often find ourselves “denying the
faith” without knowledge of doing so, we simply fail unaware in our godly walk.
A godly man understands our standing in the family, or we should understand our
standing in the family. The doctrine of the bible is that “we provide for our
own” and if we fail then we are failing and denying the faith. As Christians we
all have responsibilities to the Lord and His word of truth and faith. Being a
church member also carries a great responsibility that so many of us fail and
deny the faith. Most, and I am guilty of the same use this scripture as though
it is talking only to the man of the family, which is the husband, father,
which is the head of the family, and it is, however, God is also talking to us
all. This passage in context is talking to us men but it is also talking to us
Pastors and churches. God said, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out
of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of
thy brother's eye.” Matthew 7:5 Before we began to hold some guilty that we
believe are failing in their manly responsibilities let’s make sure we are taking
care of our own responsibilities of humanity. Sometimes we are quick to condemn
some and not others especially when the “others” includes ourselves. One of the
most important words to a Christian and church is the words “chartable giver”,
God meant for us to take care of each other. As husbands and fathers, it is our
responsibility to make sure our family is taken care of in every way, but as
church members it is also our duty to care those of the household of faith. God
is our ultimate caregiver, but God also expects us to be each other’s
caregiver, and area we often fail. God, and especially Jesus should be our
example in life as Christians, doing as He would do, caring more about others
than ourselves. God gave His Son for us, Jesus gave His life for our salvation,
grace giving grace. Our biggest failure and denial of faith is to accept that
this life on earth is not our reward, it’s where we collect eternal rewards
when we are at our final judgment. We must understand that we could lose some
rewards because we failed in other areas of our walk-in life. Our walk-in life
is to walk in Christ, to walk in God’s word, to walk in the Spirit. "This
I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not
be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."
Galatians 5:16, 25 – 26 Jesus kept nothing for Himself, He did not strive to
build an empire for Himself and His family but was charitable to those He had
contact with. Churches started out living together and taking care of one
another, not depending on others to care for their loved ones. Churches should
not be hoarders of money and goods while members do without. Church members
ought not build fancy things for themselves while others in the church does
without. God blesses us that we can bless others, everything with God is about
grace and giving. God said this about charity, “And though I have the gift
of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am
nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 As families we should make sure we take
care of them, as churches we should make sure we take care of them, but our
care extends beyond that, Christians everywhere needs help, and it’s our
responsibility. "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and
though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing. (4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;" 1
Corinthians 13:3 – 5 The key word here is “LOVE” God gives to us that we give
to others, not out of responsibility, not out of pity, but out of love. God
giveth because of love and so should we. Love is not telling the needy to be
content, love is helping the needy in being content. 1 Corinthians 13:6 - 8
"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8)
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away." Let us not “deny the faith”, let us not watch
others do without, give to the church that the church might help others. We all
need to do our part as Christians, trusting God, not saving for a rainy day but
trusting God on those rainy days. “But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 Let’s
all supply for our own, not just families, or churches, but for Christians
everywhere!
