1 Timothy 5:9-10 -- Are you on "the list"?

To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NIV):

"No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, [10] and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds."

What is this "list of widows"? I don't think anyone really knows exactly what this list was. But it had to do with which widows would receive financial assistance from the church. Paul has a list of requirements here including:

1. The widow must be over 60. The age of 60 was much more advanced in Paul's day than in ours. But Paul had his reasons for not allowing younger widows on the list, as we'll see in the verses coming up (verses 11-15).
2. The widow must have been faithful to her husband. The Greek here literally is "a one-man woman," similar to the "one-woman man" concept in 1 Timothy 3:2, 12 and Titus 1:6.
3. The widow must have been well known for her good deeds. Paul gives five examples:
   1. Bringing up children. She raised her children well.
   2. Showing hospitality. She welcomed people into her home.
   3. Washing the feet of the saints. Not literally, but performing humble acts of self-sacrificial service (John 13:1-15).
   4. Helping those in trouble. The needy meeting the needs of the needy.
   5. Devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

As I look at this list, I have to take it past the narrow application of widows and the early church. I have to examine my own life. How am I doing in these areas? Could my life make the list?

1. Am I faithful (in every way) to my spouse?
2. Am I raising my children well?
3. Do I show hospitality?
4. Do I "wash the feet of the saints" by offering humble acts of service?
5. Do I help those in trouble, even though I may consider myself in need?
6. Do I devote myself to all kinds of good deeds?

What about you? Would your life make "the list"?