<h3>Chapter # 5 Paragraph # 2 Study # 1<br />Lincolnton, NC<br />October 2, 2005</h3>

KJV Translation: 
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 

1901 ASV Translation: 
3 Honor widows that are widows indeed. 
4 But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 

Notes: 
<ul><li>I. Paul Addresses the &quot;Widow&quot; Issue. 
	<ul><li>A. In the larger context... 
		<ul><li>1. Acts 6:1 reveals an established practice. 
		<li>2. James 1:27 reveals an established ethic. 
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	<li>B. In the &quot;church&quot; context... 
		<ul><li>1. The &quot;honor&quot; has to do with treating them as people worthy of provision. 
		<li>2. The problem: the financial drag is problematical to all whose values are wrapped around material prosperity (greed has never been a respecter of persons or cultures). 
			<ul><li>a. This will invariably create a situation where any institution that is seen as a provider of material well-being will be pressed into that service regardless of whether there is a genuine need or not. 
			<li>b. This raises the question of the welfare-mentality. 
				<ul><li>1) The church has never been intended to be a social services provider. 
				<li>2) The church does not accept &quot;provision without labor&quot; as any kind of norm (even the widows are expected to commit to labor/service to the church). 
					<ul><li>a) It is not acceptable to ever teach anyone that they can get a free handout (2&nbsp;Thessalonians 3:10). 
					<li>b) It is only acceptable to provide for those who are unable to provide for themselves and have no one responsible for them. 
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