How to Help Orphans and Widows
Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about helping orphans and widows? Does Scripture say God takes care of widows and orphans? Are there Bible verses on widows and orphans that teach Christians to help them?
There are actually a lot of Bible verses on widows and orphans in the Holy Scriptures! We can learn exactly what God thinks about orphans and widows and how he wants us to help them.
Understanding the Biblical Definitions of Orphans and Widows
Before we begin, however, it is important to discuss a biblical understanding of who widows and orphans are in the Bible.
Who Are Widows in the Bible?
We are probably familiar with the Merriam-Webster definition for widows: “a woman who has lost her spouse by death and has not remarried.” But who are widows according to the Bible?
According to Encyclopedia.com, a widow in the Bible is understood in the following way:
The Hebrew substantive almanah, usually translated “widow,” often does not simply denote a woman whose husband is dead, but rather a once-married woman who has no means of financial support, and is therefore in need of special legal protection. Many widows would fall into such a classification because of their husbands’ death, but others who could rely on the support of a new husband (by levirate marriage or otherwise), an adult son, or a father-in-law, would not. Thus, the almanot as a class in Israelite society in biblical times were often considered as comprising not merely women whose husbands had died but, rather, once-married women who no longer had any means of financial support.
Encyclopedia.com
The biblical definition of a widow is more nuanced than our dictionary definition of a widow. This is because it highlights the particular financial vulnerability of this class of women. Without a husband to protect her and provide for her, it was more difficult for a widow in ancient times to make ends meet. Childless widows faced an even more uncertain future, as they had no sons to carry on the family name or provide for them into their old age.
Some examples and stories about widows in the bible include Tamar (Genesis 38) and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17).
What about the famous “widows” in the Bible: Ruth, Orpah, Naomi, Abigail and Bath-Sheba? While we often refer to them as widows in the Bible, they are never referred to as almanot, the word translated as widow. For this reason, there is question as to whether they were regarded as widows in the biblical sense, i.e. once-married women without financial support.
Who are Orphans in the Bible?
The standard dictionary definition of an orphan is “a child whose parents are dead.” How does this compare to the biblical definition of an orphan?
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word yathom (Greek orphanos) is translated in Scripture as either “orphan” or “fatherless child.” This biblical definition of an orphan is a little broader than our standard dictionary definition as it includes those who are considered fatherless.
The term fatherless is particularly important in our discussion. This is because it includes the children whose fathers are dead or absent. In biblical times, women traditionally did not own or work property, so when the father was dead or absent, it had dramatic consequences for their family’s well-being and ability to make ends meet.
The biblical orphan is a combination of today’s definition of a “true orphan,” a child with no living parents, and a “social orphan.” A social orphan is one who loses their parents due to poverty, mental illness, alcoholism, drugs or some other hard reality where one or both parents are still alive, but unable to care for the child. These children are vulnerable and need outside help in order to thrive.
Now that you understand the biblical definitions for widows and for orphans, we can move on to learn what the Bible says about widows and orphans!
What the Old Testament Teaches About Widows and Orphans
The Old Testament portrays God as the father and provider of the orphan and the widow. God also expects his people to participate in taking care of widows and orphans. From the Bible verses above, we can see that God commanded the people to treat orphans and widows fairly. He also commanded his people to provide for their needs by leaving food for them in the fields and dedicating a special tithe to them every third year. God’s care for those who can’t care for themselves is evident through these bible verses on widows and orphans.
Additionally, these scripture on widows and orphans show us that God is also portrayed as the defender of the orphan and the widow. He strongly condemns those who take advantage of the orphans and widows, and will visit them with judgement.
What the New Testament Teaches About Widows and Orphans
The New Testament scriptures continue to demonstrate God’s care for widows and orphans. And the bible verses on widows and orphans from the New Testament continue to affirm his desire for us to be involved in that care.
The book of Acts demonstrates that caring for widows was an important task. It was not to be neglected, but to be carried out by wise, Spirit-filled people. Paul instructs the church in the letter to Timothy to care for destitute widows. He also instructs Christians to care for the widows in their own families. Finally, the Letter of James says that true religion is to care for widows and orphans in their distress.
How Does God Want Us To Respond?
God wants us to share his heart for the orphan and the widow. These scriptures from the Bible show that God wants us to care for and provide for orphans and widows. He places special emphasis on helping those who are a part of the church and our family of origin.
How to Help Widows and Orphans In Your Community
So how can we help widows and orphans? One way to help widows and orphans is by getting to know the people in your church and your community. Be intentional to build relationships with your neighbors across the street. Say hello or invited them over for a cup of tea! You can also get to know your neighbors across town by serving with local food pantries or nursing homes. Simply getting to know the people in your area is a great way to meet widows and orphans and to learn about their needs.
As you get to know your neighbors and church members, you will discover those who are alone or in need. In doing so, however, you will already be helping to meet some of their needs! One need that widows and orphans share is quality time and loving relationships! You can also help widows and orphans in your community by making prayer for them a part of your regular prayer time.
Finally, you can check to see if there are any established organizations in your local area designed to help the elderly, widows or orphans. Partnering with them through service or giving would be a great place to start if you have a heart for helping widows and orphans.
How to Help Widows and Orphans Overseas
If you want to help widows and orphans outside of your local community, consider partnering with a reputable non-profit organization. There are a number of organizations designed to help widows and orphans, so take your time to research. You will want to find a reputable organization whose values and mission most closely aligns with your passion to help widows and orphans.
Do You Want to Help Take Care of Orphans and Widows in India?
At Cornerstone World Missions, we take seriously the Bible verses on widows and orphans. As a result, we are actively taking care of orphans and widows in India. Our sponsor a child program tends to the physical and spiritual needs of orphans and fatherless children in India. Additional support is also provided for local widows.
Do Feel Inspired by these Scriptures on widows and orphans and want to help?
You can put your faith into action by acting on these bible verses about widows and orphans! One way to do this is by partnering with us. If you want to learn more about how we are taking care of orphans in India, please visit our Child Sponsorship page. If you feel passionate about helping orphans and widows, we would love for you to partner with us! You can also help orphans and widows in India through your prayer or giving.
