Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…
A student of Jesus is one who practices Pure Religion. Providing for the needs of orphans and widows!
And this truth is as relevant today as when James wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago. For God does not change!
In fact, long ago in the Old Testament Scriptures, God repeatedly voiced His concern for the most helpless in society. Fatherless and widows!
In ancient times and in many countries today, to be an orphan or widow is to be among the poorest of the poor. Often in desperate need of daily necessities!
However, in modern times the more prosperous nations provide for their own citizens in the form of government subsidies for food, housing and even medical care. And not coincidentally, nations with a significant Christian population are relatively affluent.
Consequently, students of Jesus in such cultures do not often see orphans or widows in need.
How then should students of Jesus’ respond to the orphans and widows suffering throughout the world?
A recent United Nation’s study revealed that over 50% of the families throughout the world have a total net worth of under $1,100. This includes the total value of all possessions and savings.
This means that orphans and widows in such societies are virtually penniless!
This also means that anyone who has more than $1,100 dollars is richer than 50% of the people in the world.
Fortunately, the world is a smaller place today. Students of Jesus can easily reach out with significant help to the helpless who live in far-away countries and practice what James calls Pure Religion!
In fact, long ago in the Old Testament Scriptures, God repeatedly voiced His concern for the most helpless in society. Fatherless and widows!
In ancient times and in many countries today, to be an orphan or widow is to be among the poorest of the poor. Often in desperate need of daily necessities!
However, in modern times the more prosperous nations provide for their own citizens in the form of government subsidies for food, housing and even medical care. And not coincidentally, nations with a significant Christian population are relatively affluent.
Consequently, students of Jesus in such cultures do not often see orphans or widows in need.
How then should students of Jesus’ respond to the orphans and widows suffering throughout the world?
A recent United Nation’s study revealed that over 50% of the families throughout the world have a total net worth of under $1,100. This includes the total value of all possessions and savings.
This means that orphans and widows in such societies are virtually penniless!
This also means that anyone who has more than $1,100 dollars is richer than 50% of the people in the world.
Fortunately, the world is a smaller place today. Students of Jesus can easily reach out with significant help to the helpless who live in far-away countries and practice what James calls Pure Religion!
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