Widows and orphans

This is one of my most popular posts. I’ve reposted this several times. This morning, I was reading James, and there it was . It’s time to post again about the widows and orphans. We all have to be reminded from time to time

James 1:26-27 this is a life scripture for me.  Most of you have heard about the widows and orphans but not in the context that I will show you.   

In 2007 I went on an event and one of the passages I memorized was James 1:26-27.  How many times as men, especially those of us who are married are so quick to minister outside of our home before we minister inside our home. 

Holy Spirit revealed to me that I was making my wife and my children widows and orphans in my own home.  I said, “That is ridiculous. I am alive!”    He said “I understand that”  Here is what I mean; you are always doing outside of your home …. Church, men’s group, serving on Quest, helping other people, but when it comes to your family, they get the crumbs or they do not get anything from you.  Maybe what they get is anger and resentment. Who knows?

Well, that did not sit well with me …… again. 

Proverbs 27.17 As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. 

A couple of nights went by and I was sitting at the table and my wife was helping me with memorizing this passage.  I told her what I just shared with you and said “are you a widow in this home?”  She looked at me and said without blinking an eye.  Yes I am pretty much a widow.  Then she said, “I never get the minister voice that I hear you speak to other men on the phone,   I want you to talk to me that way and you never do.  It was a sad day for me but a good day. 

So basically to me what verse 26 means is if you don’t minister in side of your home then what you do outside of your home is worthless.

Verse 27 means minister to your family then you will be pure and unblemished in the sight of God and there will be not a widow or any orphans in your home

All scripture is up for interpretation.   This is just what Holy Spirit showed me that day. It may or may not apply to you and that’s OK.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart; this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

27 External * religious worship [* religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

Who You Say I Am