What Are Some Bible Verses about Helping the Poor and Orphans?
In many Asian cultures, widows and orphans are shunned in society. Sometimes, even their closest relatives ignore their circumstances. Children are often left in the slums or dumps to fend for themselves among the rubble. The Bible says that God sees them. They are not forgotten.
Here is a sampling of Bible verses about helping the poor and orphans:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart” – Zechariah 7:8-10
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” – James 1:27
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute” – Psalm 82:3
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation” – Psalm 68:5
There are more than 18 million street children in South Asia. Many beg on the streets; others turn to drugs or prostitution. More than 11 million of them are separated from their families and tens of thousands of baby girls are abandoned. In one country alone, there are 197,000 children on the streets. By the age of 14, many of them are in gangs or are kidnapped into human trafficking.
GFA World provides help for abandoned children. In conjunction with local authorities, we often have the opportunity to care for abandoned children. We offer the children protection and strive to reunite them with their families when safe. GFA workers give them security, compassion, food and the love of Jesus.
Widows are looked down upon and thought of as cursed in many Asian cultures. They are often rejected by their neighbors and families, and these women take on the entire responsibility of providing for their children. GFA national workers are able to lift the burden of these hurting women by helping with tangible gifts like an income generating sewing machine and sharing the love of Jesus with them. Oftentimes, vocational training is provided, as well as clothing and other basic essentials. The workers also provide comfort, encouragement and the assurance of God’s love.
