8. People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
9. For a widow to be put on the list of widows, she must be at least sixty years old, and she must have been faithful in marriage.
10. She must also be well known for doing all sorts of good things, such as raising children, giving food to strangers, welcoming God's people into her home, helping people in need, and always making herself useful.
11. Don't put young widows on the list. They may later have a strong desire to get married. Then they will turn away from Christ
12. and become guilty of breaking their promise to him.
13. Besides, they will become lazy and get into the habit of going from house to house. Next, they will start gossiping and become busybodies, talking about things that are none of their business.
14. I would prefer that young widows get married, have children, and look after their families. Then the enemy won't have any reason to say insulting things about us.
15. Look what's already happened to some of the young widows! They have turned away to follow Satan.
16. If a woman who is a follower has any widows in her family, she should help them. This will keep the church from having that burden, and then the church can help widows who are really in need.
17. Church leaders who do their job well deserve to be paid twice as much, especially if they work hard at preaching and teaching.
18. It is just as the Scriptures say, “Don't muzzle an ox when you are using it to grind grain.” You also know the saying, “Workers are worth their pay.”