According to a Loomba Foundation report, 258 million widows exist worldwide; 115 million of them live in abject poverty. They are caring for nearly 600 million children who are fatherless from war and disease. Clearly, there is no shortage of needy people in our world. They are the ones both our Lord and his half-brother James say followers of Christ should be concerned about. We read this in James 1:27, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” All of us, but especially followers of Christ, should take serious our obligation to help the helpless. Some may do it individually when they see a homeless person on the street. Some may do it collectively when they give at church or to a charity that distributes resources to the needy. Or we may ask, expect, and work to see that a portion of our tax dollars is used to help the needy, whether in times of disaster or in areas where war and disease leave widows and orphans helpless. Whatever the method, God’s people should engage in order to honor our Heavenly Father, who is the source of every blessing we enjoy.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
