Caring for the Vulnerable
Last week at our Board Meeting Dr. Robby Bell shared this amazing devotional. It touched my heart and I asked his permission to share it with you!
James 1:27 says that “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” It probably brings us no small measure of personal satisfaction about our own religious practice to know that our work on behalf of Collins Family Ministries is looked upon with favor by God. The reason such endeavors are pleasing to God is because God Himself cares for orphans and widows! His concern, interest, and desire centers especially upon the vulnerable. His is a special affection for them. Psalm 68:5 defines God as “a father to the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” Here we see that a core attribute of God is His concern for orphans and widows, those who are vulnerable and without family to care for them. The most powerful, holy being in the universe is constantly, effectively, and actively watching over the most vulnerable.
God’s Special Affection for the Vulnerable
This core attribute of God also is instructive for our care of orphans. First, it must be of utmost importance to us. Second, the kindness we show to orphans is, and must be, pure kindness; for they are likely to be poor and needy for a long time and have no tangible means of repaying kindness extended to them. Aiding them, then, is kindness or mercy for the sake of kindness alone, just as God has shown kindness and mercy to each of us simply for His name sake.
The Call to Pure Kindness
While James 1:27 often is cited as the primary proof text for caring for orphans, I don’t think I have ever heard anyone cite Exodus 22, verses 22-24, regarding our social responsibility to care for orphans and widows. This passage offers a new appreciation of just how important caring for orphans and widows is in God’s sight, in the vast domain of His creation. These verses say:
“Do not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do, I, the Lord, will answer them when they cry out to me for help, and I will become angry and kill you in war. Your wives will become widows, and your children will be fatherless.”
This shocking statement reveals the intensity of God’s love, concern, and care for widows and orphans.
The Weight of Responsibility
It shows us that God’s affection or compassion for the vulnerable is so central to His character that violating it provokes His wrath, resulting in lethal judgment and allowing the oppressor’s own families to feel the very pain of widows and orphans. 1 It demonstrates how strongly God considers our responsibility to care for the widow and orphan, to not mistreat or neglect them. This passage alerts us to the fact that neglecting to care for the vulnerable carries dire consequences. This chapter includes instructions regarding various situations that arise regarding the protection of property and social responsibility. Only this particular instance of the mistreatment of orphans and widows includes direct action by God. This passage, I think, is not meant so much to scare us into caring for the vulnerable but underscores just how very important it is in God’s economy. His affection for the fatherless and widows is second to none!
Why It Matters
Understanding God’s heart for the vulnerable not only inspires us but also guides our mission at Collins Family Ministries. Caring for orphans and widows is more than an act of kindness. It is an expression of God’s love that reflects His character to the world.
For more information about the work we do at Collins Family Ministries, visit our website: collinsfamilyministries.org