Responsibility. Each one of us has a responsibility to look after and care for one another. Paul made this very clear to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:7-8. Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 TIMOTHY 5:7‭-‬8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.5.7-8.NASB We have a responsibility to take care of those we are around. We saw this as we studied James a couple of months ago. Here, Paul reminds Timothy that our faith is demonstrated as we care for those around…

Hope in God. Do we really understand what that means? Often we watch as God continues to strip away things from a person’s life with the hope that the person will turn to Him. Read 1 Timothy 5:5-6. Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 1 TIMOTHY 5:5‭-‬6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.5.5-6.NASB When you have nothing else, it becomes easier to trust in God. A widow who had no other family or means to support herself knew…

Honor others. Paul follws up his discussion on appealing to people with a reminder that we are to honor widows. Read 1 Timothy 5:3-4. Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 1 TIMOTHY 5:3‭-‬4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.5.3-4.NASB Paul is very clear. Family should take care of family first and foremost. If a woman has lost her husband, then her children should be responsible for caring for her needs and ensuring she is OK. However,…

Appeal. When we see an area that is an opportunity for others, how we approach them can make all the difference. Read 1 Timothy 5:1-2. Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 TIMOTHY 5:1‭-‬2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.5.1-2.NASB We are to appeal to them. When we see people who are struggling in an area, we should appeal to them, assuming that they want to be better. They are wanting to follow Christ more and without feedback, no one can continue to improve. Do…

Evidence. Watch any police or detective show and you will see the characters searching for evidence of what actually happened. They never just take people’s word for what happened; they want proof. Paul discusses the same thing in 1 Timothy 4:15-16. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 1 TIMOTHY 4:15‭-‬16 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.15-16.NASB We have to remember that other people are going to be watching what we do.…

Do you use the gift that God has given you? No matter how you believe you receive your spiritual gifts, the fact remains that those who have accepted Jesus Christ into their life have been given a spiritual gift that God desires to use and work through them. Paul reminded Timothy of this very fact in 1 Timothy 4:14. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 1 TIMOTHY 4:14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.14.NASB Now as I mentioned, there has been a lot of debate among various denominations regarding how people receive their spiritual gifts.…

Specific instruction. Paul now turns to start giving Timothy some specific instructions for him to follow until Paul returns. Timothy is to continue to lean on scripture entirely for his teaching and training. Read 1 Timothy 4:13-14. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 1 TIMOTHY 4:13‭-‬14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.13-14.NASB What Timothy does, he is to do publicly. Studying the scripture, encouraging and building people up, as well as teaching others are all things that should be happening…

Walk the talk. Yes, its a cliche, but at the same time, it is critical to the Christian life. No one should look down on a believer as they are living out Jesus Christ in front of them. Read 1 Timothy 4:12. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 TIMOTHY 4:12 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.12.NASB Timothy was a young man and there would be a chance that older men in the church would look down on him just because of his age. Paul is reminding him that it’s not about age, but it…

Do it! Paul is giving Timothy some words of wisdon and telling him to do and teach all that Paul has told him. Read 1 Timothy 4:11. Prescribe and teach these things. 1 TIMOTHY 4:11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.11.NASB Timothy is not to just keep all this information to himself, he is to teach it. As we learn new things, we are to continue to teach those things to others. We must never allow lessons God has given us to just sit there and not to anything. We are to teach and train others. Does that describe us today?

We have hope. There is purpose in all that we do. Our work and our labor have meaning because of Jesus Christ. Read 1 Timothy 4:9-10. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 1 TIMOTHY 4:9‭-‬10 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.9-10.NASB We have hope because of Jesus Christ. We have purpose because of Jesus Christ. Everything that we have and everything that we are focused on has meaning simply because of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us. That…