Should we take care of our parents and relatives?

We all have relatives, and we all from time to time, receive requests for help from them. The question is when should we help them and when should we say NO? Where do we draw the line?

A verse in 2^nd Timothy 5:8, raises an important issue. This verse says, “But if someone does not provide for his relatives, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (2 Timothy 5:8).

The question is who is Paul referring to hear as “family”? This is a pertinent question, as its answer will lead us to decide, who, if we do not provide for, makes us as believers, worse than unbelievers.

According to the Henry Commentary, the church should not be charged with the maintenance of widows who had relations of their own that were able to maintain them. This is mentioned several times, “If any widow has children or nephews, that is grandchildren or near relations, let them maintain them, and let not the church be burdened (1 Tim. 5:4).

The respect of children to their parents, with their care of them, is called faithfulness. This is repaying your parents. Children can never sufficiently repay their parents for the care they have taken of them, and the pains they have taken with them; but nevertheless they must try their best to do what they can. It is an important duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they in ability to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power.

The Pharisees taught that a gift to the altar was more acceptable to God than relieving a poor parent (Matt. 15:5). But here we are told that this is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices; this is good and acceptable.

Paul speaks of this again in 1 Tim. 5:8; if any men or women do not help their own poor relatives who belong to them, they do in effect deny the faith; for the design of Christ was to confirm the law of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth commandment, which is, Honour thy father and mother; so that those deny the faith who disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their wives and children, who are parts of themselves. If they spend that upon their lusts instead of maintaining their families, they have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers.

One reason why this care must be taken and that those who are rich should maintain their poor relations, not burdening the church with them is that it may relieve those who are widows indeed  (1 Tim. 5:16).

Misplaced giving is a great hindrance to true giving; there should be prudence in the choice of the objects of charity; it should not be thrown away to those who are not needy, so that there may be more for those who are real objects of charity.

Let's give to the truly needy!

⃰Scripture taken from the Net Bible, additional quotes from the Matthew Henry Commentary.