The Bible commands us to look after widows and orphans. But in America, widows often do not receive help from their churches. Here, Thom Ranier explains why we must not ignore God’s command.
The verse in Scripture could not be clearer or more compelling:
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
– James 1:27
Scholars have produced massive volumes on the biblical mandate to care for orphans and widows. The Bible is not ambiguous on this topic. I am grateful churches around the world have taken some steps to care for the orphans, though much more remains to be done.
But, in North American churches, I see hardly any intentional church wide ministries to widows. Millions are left to suffer and struggle in silence.
Though the biblical mandate to care for widows should be sufficient motive for our churches, consider some of the struggles widows experience. These seven factoids should give you at least a glimpse of the need for ministries to widows in your church.
Read the full story at Thom S. Rainer.
Photo: Artem Kovalev, Unsplash