The Need

Beyond Orphan Care: There are many vulnerable children locally and around the world in need of a safe and loving home. Some of those children are orphans, children who have had at least one parent die, or “double orphans” who have lost both parents. In today’s world, there are also many children who have living parents, but those parents are not able or willing to care for them. These children have often experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment, resulting in their removal from home and often placement in foster care. To call them orphans would not just be inaccurate, but often hurtful. Many ministries like the Hope Ministry are called “orphan ministries,” yet the Hope Ministry uses the term “vulnerable children” to encompass the spectrum of children we serve, which includes but is not limited to orphans.

What the Bible Says

The Bible has much to say related to foster care, adoption, and orphan care.

Caring for the vulnerable and poor

Deuteronomy 15:7-8: “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.”

Leviticus 19:9-10: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.”

Defending the orphan

Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”

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.”

Valuing children

Matthew 18:10: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”

Mark 10:13-16: “And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.’ And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”

Loving those society devalues

Deuteronomy 10:18: “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”

Luke 5:30-32: “The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’”

Loving others at a cost to ourselves

Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

God’s example of adoption

Galatians 4:6: “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”