“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.”
“‘Your Maker is your husband,
The Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.’”
“‘Leave your fatherless children,
I will preserve them alive;
And let your widows trust in Me.’”
Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 49:11.MHH 107.6

Many a father, when called upon to part from his loved ones, has died resting in faith upon God’s promise to care for them. The Lord provides for the widow and the fatherless, not by a miracle in sending manna from heaven, not by sending ravens to bring them food, but by a miracle upon human hearts, expelling selfishness and unsealing the fountains of Christlike love. He commits the afflicted and bereaved ones to His followers as a precious trust. They have the very strongest claim upon our sympathy.MHH 108.1

In homes supplied with life’s comforts, in granaries filled with the yield of abundant harvests, in warehouses stocked with the products of the loom, and vaults stored with gold and silver, God has supplied means for the sustenance of these needy ones. He calls upon us to be channels of His bounty.MHH 108.2

Many a widowed mother with her fatherless children is bravely striving to bear her double burden, often working far beyond her strength in order to keep her little ones with her and to provide for their needs. She has little time for their training and instruction, little opportunity to surround them with influences that would brighten their lives. She needs encouragement, sympathy, and tangible help.MHH 108.3

God calls upon us to supply to these children, so far as we can, what they lack from a father’s care. Instead of standing aloof, complaining of their faults and of the trouble they may cause, help them in every way possible. Seek to aid the careworn mother. Lighten her burdens.MHH 108.4

Then there are the multitudes of children who have been wholly deprived of the guidance of parents and the subduing influence of a Christian home. Let Christians open their hearts and homes to these helpless ones. The work that God has committed to them as an individual duty should not be turned over to some benevolent institution or left to the chances of the world’s charity. If the children have no relatives able to give them care, the members of the church should provide homes for them. He who created us planned that we should be associated in families, and a child’s nature will develop best in the loving atmosphere of a Christian home.MHH 108.5

Many who have no children of their own could do a good work in caring for the children of others. Instead of giving attention to pets, lavishing affection upon animals, let them give their attention to little children, whose characters they may fashion after the divine similitude. Place your love upon the homeless members of the human family. See how many of these children you can bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Christians who do this will be greatly benefited themselves.MHH 108.6

Chapter 13—The Helpless Poor

The Elderly