12-11-2007, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by BertMulder  One aspect here that does not seem to be covered, is that the Lord has also provided diaconate care to aid those who, especially through no fault of their own, have trouble making ends meet. |  I stated earlier (emphasis added): Quote:
Originally Posted by joshua It is interesting what Paul says in 1 Timothy 5: Quote: |
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
| We may deduce several things:
1. Widows are to be taken care of by their children, first, then the church (this doesn't mean mooching, but legitimate care, etc.). This would imply that it's not for the woman to be out in the world career-minded, etc. | Quote:
Originally Posted by BertMulder And why would the wife want to take on the curse on the man, through Adam, as well as her own curse through Eve? | Quote:
Originally Posted by joshua Remember, God directed his words toward Adam when he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." His rebuke toward Eve was not about work but about childbearing (I'm glad I'm a man) | |