Orphans, widows need care
Published On March 12, 2016 » 989 Views» By Bennet Simbeye » Features
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Religious Corner LogoBy SUNITTA CHILAKA –
LOSING a parent is so painful and one begins to ask questions as to why such a thing has happened.
When I lost my father, it was a bitter pill to swallow. His death was a big blow although I was not staying with him at the time because Iam an adult with my own home and family.
This entire painful situation reminded me about the children who lose their parent(s) at a very tender age.
From riches to rags, mansion to streets and life changes in the blink of an eye. Life seems to come to an end, unexpectedly and all the wealth grabbed by relatives leaving the children in the cold.
All the relatives who are supposed to comfort join forces and sing ‘nani ukasunga abana’, (who will take care of the children bwela usunge abana (come back and take care of the children).
Such singing clearly shows that no one is willing to take up the responsibility of taking care of the children and the widow.
The Bible is not silent about the orphans and widows. James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
A lot of relatives want today’s satisfaction, late relative’s wealth for themselves and are not thinking about the future generations, our beloved, adorable children, the future leaders.
No wonder Jesus loves them so dearly and God always hears the cry of orphans. King David in one of his Psalms said God is the father to the fatherless, and the defender of widows.
It is important for us to give special attention to orphans and widows in our families, cities and street corners. They live in abject poverty, neglect and despair. It is never too late, we can bring them hope.
Many orphans are frustrated, bitter, and angry. The joy of being a child has been ripped off by adults.
They have been denied parental love and care, this love is so close to our hearts and we need it in our upbringing. They have been bereft of a chance to live. Some die of starvation every day, with no help.
A child turned beggar from a tender age would surely become a violent adult. They take out their anger and frustration on society. This is one of the reasons for increasing crimes in society; not because they are unemployed but the bitterness which they have carried from childhood to adulthood.
This is reason we must do something now and make things right.
One man testified how his relatives grabbed all the properties his parents left. Both parents died in a road traffic accident and he survived the accident.
After passing through rejection, he joined the army just to use the skills that he acquired on all the property grabbers.
On his way to shoot those relatives, he happened to sit next to a pastor who shared the Good News of Christ, without knowing that he had an agenda to kill. He gave his life to Christ and forgave all the relatives who ill-treated him and is no longer in the army.
The major cause of property grabbing apart from selfishness is that brothers and sisters don’t want to put behind their differences. They hate each other so much such that they don’t want anything to do with each other and their children.
The children are the ones who end up suffering the sins of their parents.
We must learn a lot from King David, who put the differences he had with Saul and took care of his grandson when he became king.
Saul was jealous with David to an extent that he wanted to kill him on several occasions.
Saul died in tragic circumstances and other family members died. One direct descendant of Saul remained; this was Mephibosheth, the ‘dead dog’ as he called himself (Saul’s grandson).
David returned the family inheritance to him and honoured him with servants and other gifts. From Lo debar to dinning with the king according to 2 Samuel 9:1-13.
Biological parents might have died but there is always someone left who can take care of the orphans and provides them with what they need.  Let us look after them, by so doing we are building to strong a future generation and making this world a better place to live in.
According to the Bible, God expects us to care of orphans and widows.
He wants us to raise children in the right way Proverbs 22:6. It is important we give them special attention, treat orphans just the same way we treat our biological children. Let us give orphans and widows the love, care they deserve.
We have people and institutions who have volunteered to look after orphans, we are grateful for that. But what you and I should remember is what God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows.
Let us think about the future generation, we should not kill their destiny, but help them fulfill their destiny. Remember, every child is your child whether your sisters or brothers or cousins you have the responsibility to care for them.
God ensures that orphans and widows receive justice Deuteronomy 10: 18.  Asaph in his Psalm said God is a fair judge, who will judge the wicked who have unfairly treated others.
He writes in Psalm 82: 3 Give justice to the poor and the orphans; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1: 17 also spoken in Proverbs 31:9.

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