Family Matters
If anyone fails to provide for his relatives,
and especially for those of his own family,
he has disowned the faith
[by failing to accompany it with fruits]
and is worse than an unbeliever
[who performs his obligation in these matters].
[ 1 Timothy 5:8 | Amplified Bible ]
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10:55 PM.
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8:50 AMI don't get your point. Who are these people? Do they provide for their relatives?
10:02 AM
@susan: Well, if you're referring to the people in the picture I don't have an answer. They are simply an Amish family that I saw admiring Niagara Falls one day, so I took a pic!
My point was - as the Message version says - "Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place."
We need to take care of our family members when they are in need. That could mean a lot of things - financial need, emotional support, health care. "We" (family members) vs. the government, etc.
Sometimes that means finding them a safe place to live (if they are elderly or sick) so they can be cared for by professionals. Sometimes that means moving them out of a huge house and into a smaller apartment so they can be closer to family (which is what I am doing right now with my parents).
Or sometimes it simply means phoning them up, or visiting them. I'm sure the Amish probably do many (or most) of these things, but they weren't my "point".
Does that make sense?
2:03 PM
Ummm...the Amish most likely wouldn't be "phoning [anyone] up", but you more than likely would see them "hitching up" and riding over to help with family matters. They would probably come with listening ears, willing hands, and a substantial meal topped off with a sweet Shoofly Pie!
You make a really good point. Family matters.
6:25 AM
Yes Paul that makes perfect sense. It is a good point.
Mind you, it is not always easy. Sometimes parents don't want to move somewhere that is actually better for them.
10:06 AM
@susan: Wow, you're right about that! My parents didn't want this move. And they really didn't like us (siblings) taking their driving rights away from them. On the other hand, the move has gone extremely well (so far) and they are settling in nicely - thank the Lord!
4:52 PM
...& then I think there's the possibility of helping TOO much...we've been helping a family member for some time on almost a daily basis, giving him food, feeding him meals, driving him around etc. Problem is he relies solely on others for food & shelter--even refusing to use public transportation, or work a job that pays an average wage. He's very open about how he blows his ~pt~ paycheck on partying, yet he calls in desparation & tears when he cant feed himself or his pets. Its frustrating, but as family, & as Christians, we don't want him to starve or become homeless. His depressions are another concern...but determining the line between enabling & just helping is difficult to say the least.
9:47 AM
@melanie: You're exactly right. Allowing a family member to become co-dependent is not a good thing. And sometimes we need to cut people off (tough love) if we "care" about them. Been there, did that, and it was one of the best things I could have done.
Yes, this can be a very sensitive situation, but I believe that God helps us make these decisions, as challenging as they might be.
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