【永遠に残るものに To What Endures Forever】

English follows

【御言葉】”もし信者である女の人に、やもめの身内がいるなら、その人がそのやもめを助けて、教会に負担をかけないようにしなさい。そうすれば、教会は本当のやもめを助けることができます。”テモテへの手紙第一 5章 16節

【観察】教会は当初、信者のやもめということだけで、経済的に助けていたようだが、問題が起きたようだ。若いやもめが働きもせず、遊んでいたからだ。そこでパウロは基準を設けた。基本は身内が信者のやもめを助けること。教会が助けるのは、本当のやもめで、身内が助けられない信者のやもめで、60歳以上、一人の人の妻であった人、良い行いを行った人である。

【適用】教会だけでなく、私個人の経済も有限である。だから、自分の家計に自分でも基準を設け、本当に必要なことにお金を使っていく。

【祈り】主よ、教会も個人も経済は有限です。主よ、私がしていることで自分の家計に負担をかけているものがあるでしょうか。もしあるなら教えてください。また本当に必要なところ、永遠に残るものにお金を使うことが出来ますように。🙏

【Scripture】1 Timothy 5:16 NIV[16] If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

【Observation】It seems that initially, the church provided financial assistance simply because a woman was a believer and a widow, but problems arose. This was because some young widows were not working but were idling away their time.Therefore, Paul established criteria. The basic principle is that relatives should support a believer who is a widow. The church should assist only those who are truly widows—believers who have no relatives to support them, are 60 years of age or older, have been the wife of one husband, and have lived a life of good deeds.

【Application】Not only the church’s finances but my own personal finances are limited as well. Therefore, I will set my own standards for my household budget and spend money only on what is truly necessary.

【Prayer】Lord, both the church’s and my personal finances are limited. Lord, are there things I am doing that are placing a burden on my household budget? If so, please show me. Also, may I spend my money on what is truly necessary—on things that will last forever. 🙏