Have You Paid Your Parents?

1 Timothy 5:4
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

Amplified Bible
But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

Contemporary English Version
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to serve God by taking care of her, as she once took care of them. This is what God wants them to do.

Good News Translation
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God.

We will use parents in this context to refer to our actual parents, grandparents, guardians, those who have acted as our parents, and anyone who we owe in our upbringing, whether school teachers or church leaders. Parents help us when we are helpless and dependent until we mature and become independent. Is it possible to pay parents? Have you paid your parents?

Your parents did everything to help you when you were vulnerable. They are now vulnerable in old age, it is your turn to pay back their kindness. Have you paid your parents?

When you were weak and in need of support, your parents were there for you. Now your parents are weak in age and they need support, will you be there for them? Have you paid your parents?

It is true that we should not plan to make our children our retirement plan. However, not all dreams come true. Not all plans succeed. If you turn out to be the retirement plan for your parents, will you let them suffer because it means they were not well organized? Have you paid your parents?

Your children observe how you treat your parents and they will treat you exactly that way. If life turns out that you end up depending on your children, will you be safe if they treat you the way you treat your parents? Have you paid your parents?

In our text today, Apostle Paul advises Timothy on how to handle welfare matters in the church. He says that needy people must be assisted. In our text today, he tells Timothy that if there is a widow who has adult children, it would be wrong for the church to struggle with helping her, yet, her children should be helping her. A widow with children should be helped by her children. Paul says it is the turn of the children to pay their mother, the widow. Children should pay for their upbringing by taking care of their aging parents. Have you paid your parents?

How can the church help your parents when you are strong and able to work adult? Didn’t this parent bring you up? Can’t you pay them back by taking care of them in old age? Have you paid your parents?

Apostle Paul says it is true religion to take care of your parents. To neglect your parents means you do not subscribe to the true religion. Religion is not just about the right doctrine, it is also about the right practice. Taking care of your parents is the right practice. That is how you pay your parents. Have you paid your parents?

Apostle Paul says that it pleases God when we take care of our parents. That also means that God is displeased when we neglect our parents. When we pay our parents, it pleases God and He blesses us and we excel in what we do. Have you paid your parents?

You may not meet all the expectations that your parents have, but their basic needs for survival should be within your purview. You may not satisfy all their demands but you can do your best to make sure they do not need help from elsewhere. May God help us to pay our parents, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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