What Is the Bible Verse about Helping Orphans and Widows?
The Bible verse about helping orphans and widows that people often think of is James 1:27:
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
GFA World is committed to caring for orphans and widows in their distress. By serving in South Asia and parts of Africa, GFA serves these women in tangible ways. It is estimated that nearly one in ten widows worldwide live in extreme poverty,[1] so GFA focuses on helping those in the most impoverished situations and communities.
Riya, for example, was 57 years old when her husband died of an illness and she became a widow. Riya fell into despair and intense loneliness. She wanted to stay in bed, but she knew she needed to earn money in order to survive. GFA missionaries reached out to Riya and helped her in tangible and spiritual ways. Riya learned that she has value and worth in God’s eyes. She discovered the everlasting love of God and the truth of the gospel.
Psalm 68:5 says “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
Riya learned that God is her defender and He will provide for her.
Through GFA missionaries, Riya experienced support and help through her troubles. You can help lift the burden of other widows in need. You can fulfill James 1:27 by providing these women and orphans with necessities as they go through traumatic times.
GFA also helps orphans in South Asia and parts of Africa. There are more than 18 million street children in South Asia, and many are beggars or serve in child labor.[2] In addition to tangible help, GFA provides educational help for orphaned and abandoned children.. GFA also has a home for runaway and abandoned children, working with local authorities to reunite them with their families when safe and possible.
Your partnership is necessary for GFA World to continue developing programs for orphans and widows. Will you join us in changing the lives of those who need it most?
Learn more about charities that help widows and orphans[1] “Explainer: What you should know about widowhood.” UN Women. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/6/explainer-what-you-should-know-about-widowhood. June 21, 2021.
[2] “Widows and Abandoned Children.” GFA World. https://www.gfa.org/ministries/abandoned-children/. Accessed September 12, 2022.