Widows and Orphans, Part 3- Is there anyone else?

“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.” –James 1:27

When we read this verse, we must understand their culture before we can understand how this verse applies to our own. To put it simply, James is calling Christians to care for the most helpless people in their culture, which happened to be widows and orphans. When we read it in our modern context, we can be certain that our ‘true religion’ can also be practiced by helping many others. Maybe one way to look at it is to also by understanding that often the most helpless people have nothing visible to bless you with—they can’t pay you, you won’t be more popular for helping them, etc. However, you will find that by helping them, you will be very blessed indeed. You will be blessed with a new perspective, a purer heart, and who knows what else. So here’s some people who may be some of the most helpless people in our culture:

1. Those with physical or mental handicaps. Often people who have these handicaps are looked down upon by our culture. Even if we don’t look down upon them, often we just forget about them. Visit with them, help them with basic physical needs, care for them, and you will show them the love of Christ. Trust me, you will also be rewarded.

2. Underprivileged children. Not every child has the stable home or financial provision that many of us had while we were being raised. We can do something about that. Whether it is helping with our coats program that we do each fall or investing ourselves in the life of a particular child who is underprivileged, you will find that what you do makes a big difference. Our children’s and youth ministries aren’t a bad place to start. We are always in need of help, and while not all of the kids there are underprivileged, many are.

3. The elderly. I spoke about this a bit yesterday. Feel free to click back and read that entry.

4. Those who are currently experiencing a great loss. Everyone who has experienced a great loss, especially through death or divorce, will tell you that it can be an absolutely horrible time in their lives. It often renders us almost completely unable to handle simple everyday tasks. However you can step in and help temporarily is always appreciated. Whether that is cooking, cleaning, helping with yard work, or listening can go to help them greatly.

5. Once again, get creative. Look around you and see who is in need. You don’t have to wait for the church to start a program. Simply go with the love of Christ and help meet their need.