WORKING WIDOWS
(While serving others they will serve God)
Widows used by God to sustain one of His Servants, Elijah the Tishbite
1 Kings 17:7-16 KJV
7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
Widows just like all other people are supposed to serve others, notice that God commanded the widow woman of Zarephath to sustain the Prophet Elijah in a dire time (during a famine). We also notice that this widow woman was in need of hope and a plan according to verse 12 and Elijah provided both. We can see the mutual benefit and the combined unity of her work and his wisdom built upon God’s Word is what provided the Will of God for their situation. The widow was working for her family member (her son) and she was willing to serve others, especially the minister of God. Notice the order; she first blessed others so that God’s blessing would come to her as she was within God’s plan. It is always about abiding in the Ark of God’s safety (His will for your life) because that is where all our provision comes from. Quite often when people are their provision will be provided as compensation for their work, however there are other times when the Lord will bring our provision to you apart from your works. This is known as provision by God’s Good Grace alone.
Luke 4:25-26 KJV
25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
This scripture in context tells us that God will send help to you in your time of need when you trust him, but those of your own kind may not receive you (your thoughts, your ideals or plans) or God’s Will according to His Word. Yes, many of God’s own people will not receive the message of God for their own benefit and God is not obligated to take care of those who don’t trust in Him by obeying His Word. This may also be applied to your family members who don’t receive from your ministry, so how could you share your message (counsel) when they think they have all the answers they need?
A Widow used by God as a full-time minister
Luke 2:36-38 KJV
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Anna the Prophetess was promoted by God not because of her good works but because she had a gift of God and the Lord counted her faithful in her service unto Him. This Prophetess had a purpose to bless the Body of Israel with wisdom and counsel and even foresight where necessary. Although her service was more verbal than physical her value was immeasurable. Notice that she served God by serving others all of her days as a widow so the Lord was benefitted and so was her fellowmen that partook of her ministry. Your calling before God never grows old so why should we ever stop serving others in the Body of Christ as a ministry unto the Lord.
Widows and the new Testament Church of Christ
1 Timothy 5:1-16 KJV
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
In verse 3 we are told to honor widows that are “widows indeed”. The word “honor” is referred to as “take care of” in general terms. The
natural children of the mother are commanded by God’s word to take care of true widows indeed. The key is the true widows indeed all work
in their service toward other people and they are devoted to God.
Notice verse 4 states a “widow indeed” trusts in God and that also means they don’t trust in man. The “widow indeed” prays all the time
and uses supplications to intercede for others toward God and vice-versa takes what God is speaking to her as answers for others from
God. This verse also states “and desolate” it did not say “or” desolate the difference is the widow should only be taken in by the family
or the church if she has no other recourse. The word desolate means “wasted, barren, without inhabitants, deserted, feeling hopeless”
this would qualify for widows who have no children to take care of them because in the context of these scriptures many women did not work
to earn a living and retirement salary was unheard of at that time. A widow would not be desolate if she has provision for her needs. So
that answers the question should a son or daughter take their mother into their house under any circumstance, if the widow is not desolate
the son or daughter is not required to take them in. However, the answer if they should bring them into their own home is circumstantial, see
verse 16 for generally when a child should take in a widow or not take them in. However, since your family’s peace is at stake and unity of
heart (specifically planning, doing daily activities and thinking about how to handle certain situations) is involved you must make this
decision with careful consideration meaning the combined counsel of God, your spouse and your children. If you take someone in purely out
of obligation the measure of God’s strengthening grace will be diminished which also diminishes your chances for success. Which you would
be wise to do on a trial bases for a clearly defined set time (six months to year), then re-evaluate the situation to determine if it is a
good idea to continue the arrangement or consider provision for your mother (the widow) outside your own family’s home by perhaps paying for
her to stay in an apartment or assistant living facility.
Notice verse 6 that states the widow who pleases herself instead of God and others is already dead (unfruitful, spiritually disconnect from
the Body of Christ - specifically she is disconnected from God’s plans) while she is living in her widowhood. The family and/or church has
no obligation to care for this type of widow, hence the term “widow indeed” as our direction toward whom to take care of (honor).
Notice in verse 13 it states that widows are discouraged from being idle because that could lead to gossip and being a busy body in other
men affairs. Typically, the idle body speaks idle words which will cause division and strife among people, this God hates and so should we.
Clearly according verse 16 a male child or female child of a widow should be open to taking care of their mother if she qualifies. This means
she is in need of help whether financially, mentally, and/or physically but she also must accept the headship of that child and their spouse, if
married. If these conditions are not present it is clearly up to the child and mother to do what is in their best interest as a family that
they both make live in peace one with another. Ultimately, if the children abandoned their mother, as an unbeliever may do, the widow would
qualify at that point as a desolate widow and if she has been faithful in her church the church would help in her provision if they are doing
the will of God in Jesus Name. The Lord made provision for all circumstances if the widow is a “widow indeed” but don’t forget Luke 4:25,26
which states there will be some widows who are not widows indeed that will die alone and forsaken because they refused to be godly and serve
others but chose the path of selfishness that leads to isolation and frustration. Many widows live alone and are perfectly comfortable with
that arrangement. It is always questionable if a child should force their parent to move (uproot) from their familiar surroundings to
accommodate the convenience of travel by the child. We (ihlcc) have seen this to work-out in some cases but we must be able to live with our
own conscience. Personally, we (ihlcc) believe God is gentle so we have purposed to never force our parents or any elder to do something
against their own will. This requires the proper measure of faith to cast the care of the parent’s well-being unto the Lord, by not forcing
the situation to our own advantage we (ihlcc) have a clear conscious before God and with each other. The problem of making someone go against
their own will is the child runs the risk of having the parent despise them for violating their will. The Lord will allow people to go to hell
against His infinite wisdom because He always honors your will by allowing you the freedom of choice. We also allow that same freedom of choice
even when we disagree with the decision. Amen. However, if the widow has lost their sense of reasoning (incoherent) we will make the decisions
that we feel good about following our own conscience in an attempt to be led by the Holy Spirit of God. Amen. Ultimately if God’s perfect will
was wrought the parent would have a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and the good stewardship of the assets given unto the parent during the course of
their life would leave them in a position of prosperity, such that they own their own home (or whatever residence they live in) or at least they
have sufficient provision to comfortably handle all their own present expenses and future needs. In 2 Corinthians 12:14 KJV it tells us that the
parents should have provision laid up for the children, so that the children shouldn’t have to lay-up financial provision for their parent(s).
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Widows need to be a part of a local church
Acts 6:1-7 KJV
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Notice that widows that were in the house of God, the temple, got their daily provision from God. Although this was a natural occurrence
referring to food the spiritual principle is all those widows who reside in the House of God (the local church for this day and age) will
be fed manna from Heaven by their Heavenly Father and their personal Savoir, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the key we will end on that
all widows need to hear from God to know exactly what He is speaking to them personally. Inside of the message from God to each widow is
the wisdom for their current ministry which will ultimately affect their lifestyle and the lives of the people they touch. So if the widows
don’t start there (inside their proper position in Christ Jesus within the Body of Christ) their future becomes very uncertain primarily
because without God we can do nothing of good significant value according to John 15:4,5. Amen!
This short teaching is not to force a widow into work nor is it our intent to shame (condemn) any widow who is not working. This teaching
it is only to illuminate those who seek to renew their mind by the Holy Word of God to the doctrine the widow’s right to work unto the
Lord. Quite often we think that the older ladies should not work due to their age and/or physical condition. However, we don’t see that
type of teaching in the Holy Word of God but we have just read in God’s Word that God created us all to work and work faithfully unto
Him. If a widow you know is handicapped or mentally unstable by all means don’t force them to work, simply for compassion’s sake. However,
if any widow chooses to work (solely of her own free will) please do not discourage her because her work doesn’t have to be physically
exhausting, it could be mentally stimulating for herself and others with God’s Great Grace. The Good Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly
Father graced all people to be a blessing to others so let not discount the gifts and callings of God by our carnal reasoning’s. Remember
whatever we do and all that anyone does should be done heartily as unto the Lord in the Name of Jesus out of a thankful heart unto our
Heavenly Father God. Amen.
Colossians 3:16-17 KJV
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
In His Love, Eric & Angela Foster