Needy widows had to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for assistance. There we see that if the relatives of the needy were able to assist them, they were to shoulder that responsibility. This was clearly evident in Paul’s instructions set out at 1 Timothy 5:3-16.
No Christian was to take unfair advantage of this arrangement, and no unnecessary burden was to be placed upon the congregation. Money was not wasted, and those assisted were really in need. Of course, the aid provided was moderate and in harmony with the means of the individual congregations. In turn distribution would be made to each one, just as he would have the need.” ( Acts 4:34, 35) Yes, the arrangement established in ancient Israel of caring for orphans, widows, and the destitute was carried over into the Christian congregation. ( Galatians 2:9, 10) The account of the activities of the Christian congregation shortly after its establishment noted: “There was not one in need among them. “This very thing I have also earnestly endeavored to do,” Paul could say in good conscience. When he and Barnabas were given their preaching assignment, ‘keeping the poor in mind’ was among the instructions they received. ( James 2:5, 6, 15, 16) The apostle Paul displayed the same thoughtfulness. With keen interest in the welfare of such ones, the disciple James wrote: “The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”- James 1:27.īesides mentioning orphans and widows, James also showed deep concern for others who were poor and destitute. The patriarch Job stated: “I would rescue the afflicted one crying for help, and the fatherless boy and anyone that had no helper.”- Job 29:12.ĭuring the early days of the Christian congregation, caring for those afflicted and truly needy as a result of the loss of parents or of a husband was a distinctive feature of true worship. The gleanings were to be left “for the alien resident, for the fatherless boy and for the widow.” ( Deuteronomy 24:19-21) The Law of Moses specified: “You people must not afflict any widow or fatherless boy.” ( Exodus 22:22, 23) The widows and orphans spoken of in the Bible appropriately represented the poorer people, since upon the death of the husband and father or of both parents, the surviving family members might be left alone and destitute. When harvesting their grain or fruits, the Israelites were not to gather what remained in the field, gleaning after themselves.
In view of this, is there any hope for those experiencing tribulation? How can the suffering of widows and orphans be alleviated? Will this problem ever be eliminated?Ĭaring for the physical and spiritual needs of widows and orphans has always been an integral part of worshiping God. The situation is worsened by the fact that some countries are confronting a serious economic crisis, which causes many of their citizens to live in extreme poverty. You also know of the large number of single, abandoned, or divorced mothers who face the harsh task of surviving and bringing up their families on their own. ( Ecclesiastes 3:19) “More than 1 million have been orphaned or separated from their families as a result of war,” states a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund. The number of widows and orphans steadily grows as a result of wars, natural disasters, and displacement of people seeking refuge. This adversely affects many who, because of various circumstances, become destitute. People are less and less interested in the welfare of others, in some cases even in that of members of their own family. THE moral environment of our times has contributed to a lack of compassion in the hearts of many.
having no natural affection.” ( 2 Timothy 3:1-3) How true those words are! Referring to the kind of people existing during “the last days,” the apostle Paul wrote: “Critical times hard to deal with will be here. It is not difficult to recognize that we live in an unloving world. Look After Orphans and Widows in Their Tribulation
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