Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. ~ James 1:27(NLT)
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We don't really understand the impact of this verse, of what it means to care for widows and orphans. Why? Because we live in the 21st century. Because many women work and aren't left empty-handed if their husband dies. Because we have a welfare system (albeit, broken in many ways) that provides for those without. There are food and health care programs to try to meet the needs of those in helpless conditions. The overloaded foster program works hard to give parent-less (not necessarily orphaned) kids some sort of family system to provide for their upbringing.
In Biblical times, the welfare system was you and me. There was no Medi-care and Medi-cal. No food stamps, no foster programs. People cared for people. In Deuteronomy 26, God gave people processes whereby those without means (foreigners, widows, orphans...even the priests, since they had no land to work) would be provided for. People had a responsibility not to pick clean their fields, orchards and vineyards...let the needy come after you and get what they can. There were also special offerings taken every third year to provide for those in need. People cared for people, because God cares for people. Those in need are especially close to His heart, and He takes their concerns very seriously...
For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. ~ Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (NLT)
Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. ~ Exodus 22:22-23 (NLT)
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families... ~ Psalm 68:5-6 (NLT)
God asked His people to put aside selfishness and personal gain, and take care of those in need. Let it be about others, not themselves. Let compassion rule their hearts, not greed and disdain.
God still asks that of His people. So we must ask ourselves: where are we on the compassion chart? Where are we regarding the things that matter to God?
Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow. ~ Isaiah 1:16-17
We can memorize Scripture, we can attend church faithfully, we can sport Christian bumper stickers. But do we convert that faith into action? Do we really behave like children of our Father? He cares for people. Do we?
There are so many avenues for learning to act in compassion. Volunteer in a homeless shelter or crisis pregnancy center. Be a part of a "meals on wheels" program for shut-ins. Be a babysitter for a single mom who can't afford a sitter. Go to a retirement home and visit even one person who gets no visitors.
Be with people in need, and share their burden. You will never be the same again. God will make sure of that, 'cuz He has a funny way of changing us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. :-)
Love,
Joelene
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1 comment:
This is so simple, so direct and so right on. If every group in our church got out and served like you suggest what a transformation would take place. What if every Christian in every area did this - it would transform society, we would begin to really see the Kingdom at work. Is this not our prayer - Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth? You have really hit what His will is:
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LOR require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. MIC 6:8"
You have identifieed what the acting justly and loving mercy is.
preach on sister
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