The Bible calls us to care for widows and orphans (James 1:27, Isaiah 1:17, Acts 6:1-3). You can do this by volunteering your time, donating money or resources, and intentionally building relationships with those who have experienced loss. Every act of care, big or small, is a form of Biblical stewardship.
- Caring for the vulnerable is a shared responsibility spread across families, communities, and congregations.
- Directing financial support toward vetted organizations or trusted individuals helps blunt the sudden, devastating 37% average income drop that families experience immediately following a loss.
- Lasting restoration happens when we move past temporary transactions and intentionally open our homes, calendars, and lives to build genuine, long-term relationships with those on the margins.
Caring for Widows and Orphans
Losing a spouse or a parent is one of the most devastating things a person can go through. And for many widows and orphans, the grief comes with financial instability, isolation, and an overwhelming sense of being invisible to the world around them.
James 1:27 puts it plainly:
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
In a world full of noise and competing priorities, the call to care for the vulnerable has never been more urgent.
Here are three practical ways to answer that call.
1. Volunteer With Organizations That Serve Widows and Orphans
Volunteering doesn’t require a specific background or a large time commitment. What matters most is showing up consistently and with genuine care. Many national and local nonprofits offer structured volunteer opportunities that fit a variety of schedules and abilities.
A few ways you can serve:
- Package and distribute meal kits at a local food bank
- Foster children of refugees or trafficking survivors through Bethany Christian Services
- Deliver meals to homebound seniors with Meals on Wheels
- Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) — a volunteer who works one-on-one with a child in the foster care system
- Prepare personal care packages for low-income seniors
- Mentor, tutor, or teach a skills class at a local shelter for women and children
One important thing to keep in mind: many people in vulnerable situations don’t just need services, they need to be heard. When the opportunity arises, slow down. Ask questions. Listen to their stories. That kind of presence can be just as powerful as any material gift.
2. Donate to Support Widows and Orphans
Financial support is one of the most direct ways to help — and the need is real.
More than 75% of poor widows were not poor when their husbands were alive, and 60% of widows experience significant financial hardship within the first year.
Many face a sudden combination of grief, unexpected expenses like funeral costs or medical bills, and the loss of a household income all at once.
Your donations, whether cash, appreciated stock, gently used clothing, or functioning household items, can make a measurable difference.
Donate to Organizations
Several nonprofits are specifically equipped to receive and distribute resources to widows and orphans:
- Bethany Christian Services
- Koinonia Family Services
- Solo Parent Society
- America World Adoption
- Never Alone Widows
Donate Directly to Individuals
Sometimes, the most powerful gift is a personal one. If you know a widow from your church, or your child has a close friend navigating the foster care system, you may already have insight into what they actually need.
Direct support might look like:
- Buying groceries once a month
- Helping cover college application fees
- Providing gas money for appointments
- Buying school supplies at the start of the year
If you find yourself wondering whether your donation is “enough,” consider this reflection from a pastor’s widow who received support through Geneva Benefits Group Ministerial Relief Fund:
“It is truly the Lord caring for me through this ministry, or I would have nothing. I’ve been able to pay my rent, my bills, and get food. I’ve been able to go to sleep at night knowing I was taken care of, even though I don’t have my best friend and my pastor beside me.”
Every donation matters. Every one has the potential to change someone’s day — or their life.
Give with Prudence: Before giving to an individual, pray for discernment, do your research, and seek guidance. The goal is to bless, not to create dependency or unintended harm.
3. Build Genuine Relationships in Your Community
While volunteering and donating are valuable, relationships are what transforms charity into community.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook the people on the margins. A widow in your congregation. A child in foster care on your street. Intentionally choosing to see them and spend time with them communicates something that money simply can’t: you are valued.
Visit
Consider spending time at a local nursing home or shelter. Many care facilities welcome volunteers to join scheduled activities.
Something as simple as helping run a bingo game can open the door to meaningful connection.
Connect Online
Social media can be a bridge, not just a distraction. Search Facebook Groups focused on widow support or foster care in your area. Follow hashtags like #widowlife or #fostercare on Instagram or TikTok to find community needs and connection opportunities.
Be Hospitable
Once trust and a genuine relationship are established, open your home. Invite them to dinner. Offer to babysit. Help with household tasks. Teach them a practical skill. Even something like navigating new technology can relieve real stress for an older widow living alone.
These acts of hospitality reflect the heart of love — using what we have to serve others, not just ourselves.
→ Related: 10 Biblical Principles for Managing Money
What Does Scripture Actually Say About Caring for Widows?
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul outlines a practical system for the early church: prioritize those who are truly without support, hold families accountable to care for their own first, and ensure that church resources reach those who are genuinely destitute and living with integrity. The underlying principle is that caring for the vulnerable is a shared responsibility — spread across families, communities, and congregations.
No one person or institution carries it alone.
When each part of that system does its part, the most vulnerable people don’t fall through the cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about caring for widows and orphans?
James 1:27 describes caring for widows and orphans as a mark of “pure and faultless” religion. Other Scriptures include Isaiah 1:17, Acts 6:1-3, 1 Timothy 5:3-16. Throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to protect and provide for those who have lost a spouse or parent.
What organizations help widows and orphans?
Several reputable nonprofits serve this population, including Bethany Christian Services, Never Alone Widows, Solo Parent Society, Koinonia Family Services, and America World Adoption.
How can I help a widow or orphan if I don’t have much money?
Your time and presence are incredibly valuable. Volunteering through CASA, Meals on Wheels, local shelters, or simply visiting a nursing home costs nothing but can mean everything to someone navigating loss alone.
Is donating directly to an individual better than donating to an organization?
Both have merit. Direct donations to someone you know personally can be deeply meaningful and targeted to their specific needs. Donating to vetted organizations ensures broader reach and accountability. Ideally, use discernment and pray for guidance before giving either way.
How does caring for widows and orphans connect to Biblical stewardship?
Using your financial resources to care for the vulnerable is one of the clearest expressions of Biblical financial stewardship — it reflects generosity, justice, and trust in God’s provision over personal accumulation.
Caring for Widows and Orphans — Just Start Somewhere
Caring for widows and orphans tarts with a willingness to show up.
Volunteer your time. Give what you can. Build relationships with intention. These aren’t just good deeds, they’re how we live out our faith in a way that makes a real difference in real lives.
That’s what Christ did.
Disclaimer
Please note that the financial advice and information presented on this blog are not personalized to your specific financial circumstances. This post is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice. The Little CPA does not create a professional-client relationship by publishing this content. Please consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this information. Any reliance you place on the information provided is strictly at your own risk.
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