"The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world" - James 1:27
In our congregations James 1:27 is often quoted in order to establish what to look for in true religion today. Sadly the focus is often on the keeping of oneself "without spot from the world" with little attention given "to look[ing] after orphans and widows in their tribulation". In his letter James highlights the importance of charitable acts such as when he says that faith cannot exist without good works like providing for "a brother or sister in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day". - James 2:15
In Bible times, as is often the case today, widows and orphans are among the neediest of people. These are ones that may suffer from neglect. Our loving Heavenly Father though cares for them deeply. He is called, "a father of fatherless boys and a judge of widows" (Psalm 68:5) His care for them is expressed at Psalm 146:9 where it says "The fatherless boy and the widow he relieves."
Jehovah's care for widows and orphans was reflected in the Law of Moses where the people were ordered to care for widows and orphans. It is emphatically proclaimed at Dueteronomy 27:19 "Cursed is the one who perverts the judgment of an alien resident, a fatherless boy and a widow!"
How serious did Jehovah take this law? Very seriously! The maltreatment of widows and orphans was one of the reasons that Jehovah punished His name people, allowing them to be killed and taken captive by enemy nations such as Babylon. In regards to this Isaiah made the prophetic denoucement, "Woe to those who are enacting harmful regulations and those who, constantly writing, have written out sheer trouble, in order to push away the lowly ones from a legal case and to wrest away justice from the afflicted ones of my people, for the widows to become their spoil, and that they may plunder even the fatherless boys!" - Isaiah 10:1,2
The care of the such needy individuals was a concern for the early Christian congregation. In Acts 6:1-6 we read about how men "full of spirit and wisdom" were appointed to distribute food to improverished widows. The Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy regarding a "list" that honorable widows in need of relief could be placed on in the event that they had no family to provide for them. (1 Timothy 5:3-9)
In our congregations today seldom are appointments made of individuals to spearhead the taking care of the needy among us and there are few lists made to keep such ones in mind. Be that as it may that does not excuse us from our scriptural responsibilities to take care of such ones. As a Christian congregation we have a community responsibilty to take care for them as they are related to us in the faith (Galations 6:10)
And I can honestly assess that from my own experience there is a real and immediate need. Those of us who are young need to step up and provide for them. In my congregation the widows seem to get by financially and they have food on their tables but they are literally starving for attention. Our elderly ones who were the building blocks of our congregation are shown little regard. Those who find themselves in nursing homes are all but forgotten about.
Rebekah and I had the privelege of going out to eat Sunday after the meeting with an elderly sister. Can you imagine this faithful sister questioning whether or not the friends would take care of her when the great tribulation started? That she should even have to question such a thing is a positively sad statement of the reality she faces. That she still comes to the Sunday meeting each and every week despite such discouragement is a testament to her faith.
There is such a great joy and satisfaction in taking care of the needs of others. As John expresses, "for this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commadnments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3) I'm finding out how true that is. At one time it did seemed like taking care of the widows was a burden but this is truely not the case. I'm so happy that some of Rebekah and my closest friends in congregations are such ones. And in taking care of them there is a complete and total mutual encouragement for us as well. Sometimes it seems that we get more out of it then they do.
Let us all look for ways to help out those in need among us, especially our dear elderly sisters! Let us not look down upon them in their days of tribulation. Rather let us include them in our gatherings, speak to them often, keep them in our prayers, and care for their physical needs.
Why do I write these things? I'll conclude with the heart stirring words of our Lord Jesus:
"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in YOU and YOUR joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that YOU love one another just as I have loved YOU." - John 15:11,12
