Orphans, Widows, and Our Duty

Image courtesy of boazproject.org

As a Christian, we can hear that there are 45 million orphans in the world and do nothing because it's just too big of problem.  The Bible mentions "orphans" or the "fatherless" over 30 times and most of those times are a call to act.  Almost every time orphans are mentioned, it is with widows.  Why do you think this is?  I think it's because widows and orphans are easy to ignore.  We all have our own families, our own people to look after, and we don't think we have the time or the money or the whatever to help someone else.  Yet, God doesn't let us off the hook.

Exodus tells us not to take advantage of them. Deuteronomy says God "defends the cause of the fatherless," and He instructs His people to provide for the orphans and widows and to never deprive them justice.  Job talks about rescuing the fatherless and widows.  Psalms 82:3-4 is quoted in the above picture and tells to "defend" and "uphold" them.  Isaiah 1:7 is pictured below and again tells us to"defend the cause of orphans and fight for the rights of widows." In Zechariah and Jeremiah, we are told not to oppress the orphan or widow.  James defines "pure religion" as caring for the orphan and the widow. And my absolute favorite verses on this subject are Psalm 68:5-6 and we read that "God sets the lonely in families."

Image courtesy of amycornwell.com

This is not every verse that mentions orphans or widows, but I think the picture is made clear.  We have a duty.  It's not a special calling for a select few.  It's not something we get a choice in.  As Christ-followers, we are told to care for the orphans and the widows.  We don't need to pray about it whether or not we should, it's there in living black and white words.  Our prayer instead should be, "Lord, how do You want me and my family to care for them?"

I could list ways you could help.  I could list ministries you could get involved in or send money to, but that could be overwhelming in and of itself.  You don't have to look far and honestly, you probably already know about lots of these organizations.  

I believe if you truly pray about how to help, it will be made clear.  I will share our own personal journey to foster care with the hows and whys in a few days.  But in short, it's this, we prayed and God made it clear. And I am so grateful He did.   

45 million orphans is an overwhelming and heartbreaking number.  Remember that it's not just a number.  Everyone of these has a name and a story.  What would it look like if we all actually did our duty and cared for them?  I just about burst into tears every time I think about the possibilities.  Did you now that there are 2.1 billion people who claim they are Christians?  The math isn't difficult.  There simply shouldn't be that many orphans.  I don't have the number for widows and there will always be widows and widowers, but "God sets the lonely in families." How awesome is our God!  What is He calling your family to do?