Give to Widows and Orphans

James 1:27

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. 

I am blessed by God to have a good husband and loving children. I’ve enjoyed decades of marriage to a man who has been intentional with giving away a portion of his income. We’ve sponsored children living in poor areas and orphans living in Africa. We’ve supported the poor in our home town and in other countries by online giving or by giving face-to-face.  

The examples I describe in this blog are designed to encourage others to give from the heart. I do this because I want others to feel the same exhilaration from sharing a valuable gift with those who need it.

It always feels good to give to someone who obviously appreciates the gift. We’ve never given to be seen by man, but rather to obey the leading of God. It makes a difference.

Being obedient to God in giving opens up exciting opportunities for the giver. As God trains us in the obedience part, he can reward us with some surprises.

Do you know an elderly woman who needs a little support from neighbors? Your gift doesn’t have to be money. You can offer to make a grocery run for her or let her borrow a book she finds interesting. Your gift of comforting conversation will mean a lot to a widow.

Who knows? She might turn out to be the friend you’ve always wanted.