Ang sinumang hindi kumakalinga sa kanyang mga kamag-anak, lalo na sa mga kabilang sa kanyang pamilya, ay tumatalikod sa pananampalataya, at mas masama pa kaysa sa isang di mananampalataya.

1 Timoteo 5:8

A young Christian named Eric is active at church. He is part of the worship team, singing praise and worship songs every Sunday. He also leads a Bible study and regularly attends the prayer meeting. Kapag may event, people can count on him being there.

His parents and siblings, on the other hand, rarely see him or talk to him at home. Every time he comes home from work or church, he heads straight to his room. Even though he is already earning money, he does not contribute to their household expenses. Minsan, nilapitan siya ng kapatid niya, “Kuya, can you lend me 500 pesos? I need it for school.” Eric got mad and told her, “Why are you asking me? You should have saved your own allowance for it.” His sister left his room, wondering, “Bakit kaya sa church lang mabait si Kuya? He donated for the church outreach, but why won’t he help me?”

It’s sad to see this kind of scene play out in many Christian homes. Some people say they love God but unfortunately, this love doesn’t spill over to their family. They are generous to others but stingy with their own flesh and blood. Of them, Paul said some cutting words: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8, NIV).

May it never be said of you that in loving God, you forgot about loving your own family.