Beautiful Word Devotional #157

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 Timothy 5:8

God places us in families for a reason. In the circle of a family, we care for each other when needs arise. We take care of kids, and we share our cars. We help family members who are sick, bringing meals and keeping watch. We shelter those who are struggling. We get on our knees and pray for the wayward ones. We provide for those who cannot pay their bills.

According to Paul, when we don’t do these things, our actions deny that we love God. To paraphrase the apostle John, how can we say we love God whom we cannot see but not love family members whom we can? Loving family members is a fulfillment of part of Jesus’ two-part commandment to love God and love others.

When we do love others—when we love our family members—our actions show that we are Christ’s children. God is glorified when we help those in need.

Lord, show me specifically what I can do to tangibly care for someone in my family today, amen.