God Values The Family

God values the family. It is a subunit of the community and the community is a subunit of the nation. Strong families lead to strong nations.

Christians too, have a family- we are called brothers and sisters in Christ if we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. This “family” of church members must also remain close and the Bible teaches us how to honor our family of origin and our Christian ties. If we heed these instructions, our prayers will be heard and we will be helped.

“Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”(1 Tim 5:7-8)

An edited version of the Bible Study commentary on this verse says:

If anyone

The Greek word used here, “tis,” emphasizes the inclusivity of the command. It underscores the communal responsibility within the Christian faith, where each individual is accountable for their actions.

does not provide

The Greek verb “pronoeō” means to think of beforehand or to take care of. This implies a proactive responsibility, not merely a reactionary one. In the historical context of the early church, providing for one’s family was a tangible expression of faith and love, reflecting God’s provision for His people.

for his own

This phrase highlights the immediate circle of responsibility, referring to one’s relatives or kin. In the biblical context, family was the foundational unit of society, and caring for one’s own was seen as a direct reflection of one’s faithfulness to God.

and especially his own household

The word “household” comes from the Greek “oikos,” which refers to the family unit, including extended family and dependents. This phrase intensifies the obligation, suggesting that neglecting one’s household is a grave failure. Historically, the household was the center of economic and social life, and its well-being was crucial for the stability of the community.

he has denied the faith

To deny the faith, in Greek “arneomai,” means to reject or disown. This is a strong statement indicating that failing to provide for one’s family is tantamount to renouncing one’s Christian beliefs. In the early church, faith was not just a set of beliefs but a way of life that manifested in actions, particularly in how one cared for others.

and is worse than an unbeliever

The comparison to an unbeliever, or “apistos” in Greek, serves as a stark warning. Even those outside the faith were expected to care for their families, as this was a common moral standard across cultures. Thus, a believer who fails in this duty is seen as falling below even the basic ethical expectations of society. This phrase challenges Christians to live out their faith in practical ways, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in everyday life.

Valuing What God Values Leads To A Breakthrough!

A breakthrough happens when we value what God values and align our lives with His teachings. Then we will breakthrough the invisible barrier and surmount the battles we face in life.

We may have prayed for years about something and feel the prayer is hitting a glass ceiling and bouncing back. I have found that the book of Isaiah offers some solutions- we can learn from the Israelites.

When the people of Old found themselves in a predicament, they would declare a “fast.” This act of humility and prayer displayed their repentance for sin and was done to show their dire need for assistance. God however, explained that He desires something entirely different than humbling ourselves for a day under the restriction of a fast. He desired living as a true Christian daily- meaning living with a humble attitude and an “others” focus, and He revealed that this would protect them and bless them.

Fasting God’s way will breakthrough injustice, remove heavy burdens, set people free of others oppression and break every yoke of inability- in other words receive a breakthrough in our prayer life.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

The Bible Study Commentary on the verse pertaining to family is:

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood

The phrase “not to turn away from your own flesh and blood” underscores the importance of familial and communal responsibility. The Hebrew word for “turn away” is “alam,” which means to hide or ignore. This admonition calls believers to recognize and respond to the needs of their family and community, acknowledging the interconnectedness of humanity.

We can all ask ourselves how God’s way to “fast” or to live with an “others” mindset might play out in our lives practically. We can assess our job and any requirement to travel for business away from our family. We can asses how much time it takes to get to a family member’s house in order to be of assistance. We can soul search and pray about our desire to live our own life rather than stay connected to our family of origin. Only God can lead each of us to the specifics of living out this verse. But what we know for sure from this verse is that blessings for putting family over the desires of an individual are guaranteed.

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”(Isaiah 58:8-9)

I believe God’s Word is very clear. The 58th chapter of Isaiah tells us how to have our prayers heard by our Lord and Savior. If we read and re read the entire chapter as well as several commentaries, we will gain a good understanding. Then we can ask the Holy Spirit to empower us to make the necessary changes in our lives to receive these amazing blessings.

Food For Thought,

Lisa