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What does the Bible say about taking care of family?

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The Bible teaches that caring for one’s family is a God-given duty of love, provision, instruction, honor, and sacrificial service, flowing from faith in Christ. 1 Timothy 5:8 stresses the seriousness of providing for one’s household, while 1 Timothy 5:4 calls children and grandchildren to repay the care of parents. Parents are to raise children in the Lord’s discipline and instruction, and children are to honor and obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-4; Exodus 20:12). Proverbs commends diligent, wise household care and a lasting inheritance (Proverbs 31:15-17; Proverbs 13:22). Yet family care must be more than material help: 1 John 3:17-18 calls believers to practical, sincere love, as households serve the Lord together (Joshua 24:15).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Timothy 5:8 12 votes

    But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • Proverbs 31:15-17 5 votes

    She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

  • Exodus 20:12 5 votes

    “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

  • Proverbs 22:6 5 votes

    Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:14 5 votes

    Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

  • Proverbs 13:22 5 votes

    A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

  • Joshua 24:15 5 votes

    If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”

  • 1 John 3:17-18 4 votes

    But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

  • 1 Timothy 5:4 4 votes

    But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

  • Ephesians 6:1-4 3 votes

    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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