The Earthiness of True Spirituality

I think we often have false ideas of what it means to be spiritual, falsely 'other world' ideas influenced more by monasticism than scripture. This happens when we think spirituality has more to do with time away by ourselves in prayer and contemplation than with time involved in actually doing things in the world. Of course there is a place for prayer, reading of scripture, time of quiet and retreat. But this must be wed with getting our hands dirty in our actual station of life. This is illustrated in 1 Timothy.

Chapter 5

Note the description of the godly woman who can be supported as a widow (insert table). Prayer is a key factor but so is hospitality, raising children, washing feet, etc. The picture of godliness is filled with example of doing practical service, things particularly suited to a woman. Also note for men, the statement 5:8 about providing for one's family. Failure to do this negates any other claim to spirituality. Paul is in effect saying 'don't tell me about your prayers, scripture memory, etc., if you are not providing for your family it is all moot!'

So, guys, are you working hard at your job to provide for your family. Are you seeing it as serving God when you devote time to thinking about your family budget, savings, financial preparation for your future, fixing up the house etc.?

Or ladies have you considered the spirituality of cooking, cleaning house, raising children, and serving others? Of course, there is a particular focus on ones own family in these lists. In our day I think may women see it as valuable to do all sorts of things for others or for institutions but not so much to do mundane things for their own family. Your primary sphere is your own family. Isn't that what is assumed in this passage?

Marks of Spirituality or godliness in 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Family

Practice godliness in regard to family,
i.e. provide monetary support (v. 4)

Fixed hope on God (v5)

Provide for own family (v. 8)

Widows

Regular prayer (v5)

[not given to wanton pleasure- so purity and self-control] (v6)

Marital faithfulness (v9)

Reputation for good \"works\" (v10)

Brought up children (v10)

Hospitality to strangers (v10)

Washed feet of the saints (v10)

Assisted those in distress (v10)

Devoted to every good work (v10)

[not idle, gossips, busybodies, talking about things they shouldn't- so hardworking & controlled with words] (v13)

Family and domestic life (v14)

This list is striking on several accounts. First, take the statements to the families. In v. 4 they are told to learn to practice 'godliness' or 'piety' in regard to their own family. The word for godliness here (a form of eusebeia) is an important word in the Pastorals. It refers to the practical living out of the faith. Here godliness means taking care of older relatives. It means specifically (and at least) providing for the basic needs of widows in one's family. This is what godliness (or spirituality) looks like in this situation. In fact Paul closes the point by saying this pleases God. The statement in v. 8 is a follow up from v. 4. It basically restates v. 8, in the negative form. While to provide for one¡¦s own family is to practice godliness and pleases God, to fail to do so is to deny the faith and to be worse than an unbeliever! I think this is probably a shockingly strong statement to many of us. Is Paul merely being rhetorical here, overstating the case for effect? I don't think so. To fail to live out the practical implications of the faith is to deny the faith. There is no real disagreement between Paul and James- 'faith without works is dead'!

Are you husband and father who wants to be spiritual? Don't buy books or go to conferences on new meditation techniques. Get a job, work hard at it and be disciplined with your money so that you can provide for their needs. 'Don't tell me about your prayer life if you're not working hard.'

Note next the characteristics given as the description of a godly woman. Things commonly associated with spirituality are listed, such as fixing one's hope on God and being devoted to prayer. Even not being given to wanton pleasure is not surprising. These are indeed key aspects of spirituality. Their being placed at the front of the list may even stress their importance. The rest of the list is I think probably shocking again for its earthiness. Perhaps marital faithfulness is not surprising either, but we could stand to consider it a bit more. If you are married and you want to think about spirituality, realize that one of the most spiritual things you can do is work on your marriage. It is not spiritual to engage yourself in busyness at church to the detriment of your marriage. To go out of your way to express love and appreciation to your spouse is to practice spirituality.

It is actually the items that follow that really show how down to earth real spirituality is. The next item, having a reputation for good works, stands basically as the overall term which the other items describe. The list of v. 10 begins with 'having a reputation for good works' and then closes with 'devoted to every good work.' This provides some emphasis as well as pointing out that she should in actuality be devoted to such works and this should result in her being recognized for it- a reputation based in solid reality. 'Good works' in the Pastoral Epistles is a practically oriented phrase. Note its use in Titus 3:14 where it is explained as meeting pressing needs and is in the context of providing practical help to some preachers who would be coming through. Doing good is part of being spiritual.

The next item is 'brought up children.' This is not a slam against those who never married (see 1 Cor) or of those who are barren. It is rather a holding up of the hard work of mothering. He is speaking to the typical situation. It would be a slam against any who would think they would rather be busy serving God rather than raising their children. This does show that if God gives you children, spirituality involves diligence in raising them well. To neglect the careful raising of your children is sin. These items begin to show clearly that one's first ministry is one's own home (husband, children, aged relatives).

The Earthiness of True Spirituality

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