Journal 2009.

As a literalist teen, trying to obey the Bible, I felt unspiritual because I wasn’t visiting orphans and widows like James instructed.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”  James 1:27 (KJV)

I knew no orphans and had contact with only one widow (who seemed more well off than I was). And I conveniently ignored the rest of the verse: “and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

I think James may have been quoting the prophet Jeremiah who said bad people don’t “judge and plead with justice in the cause of the fatherless and defend the rights of the needy” (Jeremiah 5:28). But his instructions are broader than that. Jeremiah adds:

IF you:

• Practice justice between neighbors
• Don’t oppress the alien, orphan, or widow
• Don’t shed innocent blood
• Don’t walk after other gods to your own ruin

THEN you can dwell in the land. (7:5 NASB)

This list of instructions for piety included more than looking after widows and orphans. Different things were required for God’s blessing. And in verse 9 he added keeping the 10 commandments.

A 2023 Update. I understand, now, that spirituality is far more than completing a specific list. It’s a matter of the heart and motives. And I won’t even go there with the promised consequence of keeping this list means I’m going to “dwell in the [promised] land” when I happen to live in America. I need not feel guilty if I don’t specifically visit widows and orphans, but I can minister to any who are needy in my community or overseas. Here are some organizations I recommend.

Widows: Widowconnection.com

Orphans: Hopegivers International

Needy: Compassion International