In considering what our own attitude should be toward the orphans and widows around us, it’s helpful to remember that all of us were adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3–7) and betrothed to Christ (Ephesians 5:32 Revelation 19:7). We should not view caring for orphans and widows as simply a command from God we must fulfill “or else.” There is tremendous blessing in serving and standing up for orphans and widows. The bottom line is that all widows should be receiving the care they need, without anyone getting overburdened by the responsibility. And she must have no family member to care for her (1 Timothy 5:9–10). Paul instructs that, for a widow to be supported by the local church, she must be over the age of 60 and she must have been faithful to her husband and have led a godly life. “If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” (1 Timothy 5:4). First, Paul puts an emphasis on a widow’s family taking care of her, instead of leaving it all up to the church.
#BIBLE CARE FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS HOW TO#
In 1 Timothy, Paul lays out more detailed instructions for how to care for widows (1 Timothy 5:1–16). Caring for those in distress is not optional for followers of Christ. In the New Testament, James says that taking care of the needs of orphans and widows is part of religion “ pure and faultless” (James 1:27).
When He gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites, He gave instructions for how to treat the orphans and widows among them-with harsh consequences promised if they failed in their responsibility (see Exodus 22:22–23). God commands us to care for orphans and widows. “You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror” (Psalm 10:17–18). However, nothing escapes God’s notice, and He will avenge the orphans and widows. In our world, those who are helpless tend to be taken advantage of by those who think they can get away with it. “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5). The Bible tells us that God Himself steps in to fill the role of protecting and caring for orphans and widows. When the man is not there, the wife and child can suffer in many ways. Husbands and fathers play an irreplaceable role in a family. God commands us to protect and care for orphans and widows (Psalm 82:3). The Bible reveals God’s attitude toward orphans and widows: He cares very deeply for them. In biblical times, the main cause of a child being orphaned is that the orphan’s parents had died. I ask all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.Widows are women whose husbands have died, and orphans are children whose parents, for whatever reason, are not in the child’s life. God, I know that Your presence and peace will allow them to experience joy and comfort, but I’m also asking that You show me and other believers how we can better minister to these people who have lost their spouse. Whether they are elderly people who have lost a spouse after decades of marriage or they are a young person who tragically lost a spouse early in life. God, I’m asking that You allow these precious people to experience Your comfort and Your peace. Lord, I cannot begin to imagine the loneliness that the widows and widowers are facing, especially during a time of year where so many people are busy making plans and celebrating time with families. While I want to make sure that I am doing my part to care for these people according to Your Word, I also want to ask that You bless the widows and widowers who are a part of my community. Thousands of years ago, when You were bringing Your people out of Egypt, You took the time to make sure that Moses and the other leaders understood the importance of protecting these people who had no one else in their lives to care for them. Heavenly Father, I know that You have been very clear in Your Word about how much you care for widows, and in turn, widowers. James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword you r wives will become widows and your children fatherless.” Pray This Prayer: If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.ĭo not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
0 kommentar(er)
