1 Timothy 5:16

‘If any woman who believes has widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened, that it may relieve them that are indeed widows.’

And while he is speaking about women he brings home the fact that the responsibility mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:8 does not only apply to men. Women too should recognise their responsibility for caring for older related widows (mothers or mothers-in-law) so that the burden does not fall on the church, in order that the church may concentrate on those who are ‘widows indeed’, that is, those who are devoid of relatives.