His Kind of Love: Care for the Widows & Orphans

There are two specific types of people scripture tells us to care for. These are the widows and fatherless.

We are told to care for the orphans and fatherless

We are told to care for the orphans and fatherless

James 1:27 says “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

A widow is a woman who has lost her husband to death and not remarried. The fatherless are those that have no father.

In 1 Timothy 5, the command depends. “Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable.”

According to Timothy, caring for our mothers and loved one starts at home.

This mandate is a repeat of one of the commandments God gave to Moses, to “Honour thy father and mother.”

Even today, God still expects us to honor our father and mother.

and the widows, or those who have lost their husbands

and the widows, or those who have lost their husbands

If we are still expected to care for and honor our parents, shouldn’t we also continue to care for the widows and the fatherless?

In this day and age we know many widows and fatherless children in our society. If you don’t know of any there are plenty of places to find them such as your local church, schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters, agencies for children or seniors, and nursing centers.

Often just visiting with the fatherless and widows is all they need. The better you get to know one another the easier it will be to know how to step in and assist.

Maybe a widow needs groceries delivered or her yard cut, while a child needs someone to play ball with or help with homework.

Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the widows and fatherless in your area.

How do you help the widows and fatherless?

 

Pictures courtesy of MorgueFile

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