The Christian Mom’s Guide to living out 1st Timothy 5

Most Christian woman strive to be a Proverbs 31 or a Titus 2 woman, but have you ever thought about being a 1 Timothy 5 woman?  Maybe you should!  If you’re looking for meaningful ways to be a woman after God’s heart and bless the socks off of others, then this post is for you!

 

As a housewife and mom so much of my life is consumed with trying to master the “proper care and feeding” of my family: cooking, shopping, meal planning, housework, carpooling and homeschooling, and the list goes on . . . and . . . on!

And while I know that God’s word encourages me to be “busy at home” – and taking care of my family is my number one, God ordained priority – it also encourages me to have a heart that continually seeks out meaningful opportunities to impact the lives of people outside of my family circle.  

As Christian moms, it’s so important that we live our lives with the end goal in mind and 1 Timothy 5:9-10 helps us to do exactly that.  In this beautiful passage, Paul explains to Timothy what widows are worthy of receiving financial support from the church.  He bases his decision on the kind of life they’ve lived – so this represents God’s heart for how a woman should have lived her life . . .

“No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.” (1  Timothy 5:9-10) 

While Paul’s admonishment begins with a woman’s care for her husband and children, it quickly goes on to list several “good deeds” relating to people outside of her family circle.

But if you’re a housewife and mom in the trenches of raising children and you feel like you have very little margin to fit good deeds into your schedule, don’t despair!  Here are several simple ways to be “busy at home” and do “good deeds” at the same time:

1) Serve in your local church.  (This is a biggie!)  No, the church is not an “at home” activity, but every Christian family goes to church regularly (or they should).  This is one of the most seamless ways that a mom (and her children) can sow into the Kingdom of God.  The church is God’s ordained vehicle to carry out His work and exercise your spiritual gifts so, however you serve there – whether it be by cleaning bathrooms, teaching Sunday school, or leading a woman’s Bible study – your service is vital to its functioning and overall well-being.

2) Cook and deliver meals to other families: cook for pregnant moms, for moms who have newborn babies, for sick moms, etc.  An easy way to do this is to double up on whatever you’re cooking for your own family.  Or stay at home and order take-out for the other family!

3) Clean for a mom who has a newborn or who is ill, or even for a mother of multiple young children.  This one can be tough because some moms are particular about letting other women see their “dirt”.  I know I am!  Still, I remember when my church sister came over and cleaned the top of my dresser when I was sick, pregnant, and unable to move around.  A simple act of service and kindness like that totally picked up my spirts!  She hadn’t mopped my floor or cleaned my refrigerator, she had cleared all the clutter from the one place I looked at all day as a bedridden mom.

4) Shop – if you have the financial means (or if you’re not a cook) buy groceries or a pre-made meal for another family.  I remember when my family was experiencing some tough financial times and a homeschool sister came over and filled our fridge with groceries.  And she didn’t leave her kids at home to do “school,” she brought them along; so that day they got a different kind of education – they learned how to love and serve others in the body of Christ.

5) Host other families in your church at your home.  It’s seamless to invite other families over for lunch or dinner after church.  This is a great way to continue the fellowship and build godly relationships.  It’s also an informal way to disciple another mom in the art of hospitality, or to inspire her to make her home a place of grace with your home decor.  She may even learn another great recipe or observe your godly character in child discipline. So much is learned by what is caught rather than taught; so let your light shine and be an example.

6) Care – I enjoy giving “child care” coupons to moms in my church (whose trust I have earned) who need some time away from their kids.  If anyone can identify with a young mom being overwhelmed by multiple young ones, it’s me!  And because of my past struggles in this area I’m proactive about seeking out other moms who I know need a breather.  Don’t assume that they have family or friends to help them out.  Recruit your kids to join in by designing the coupon.  Do this and a mom will love you for life!

So there you have it!  Six practical, mom-tastic ways for Christian moms to live out 1 Timothy 5:10.  Let’s keep this in mind as we live for Christ.  When people reflect upon our life, may it be said of us that we spent our time helping those in trouble and devoting ourselves to all kinds of good deeds.

Tiffiney

Hey Fellow Moms: What would you add to this list?  What are some of your favorite ways to bless other moms?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.  I’d love to hear from you!

I’ve shared this article at these fabulous faith and family link-ups.