God loves all His people. But He particularly puts an emphasis on caring for orphans and other needy people. In many places in the Bible, God says that we are to be kind to widows, orphans, and foreigners. They were some of the most vulnerable people around.

Pastor Karnes says he thought of James 1:27 when he got involved in foster care. That verse says, “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.”

God created families from the beginning. He planned for Adam and Eve to have a family. (Genesis 1:28) But sometimes children, widows, people with disabilities, or others don’t have loving families to take care of them.

Christians are called to care for children in need. We follow the example of our Father. He counts us as part of His family: His children and heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:16-17)

2 Samuel 9 tells the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of David’s close friend Jonathan. He was also the grandson of David’s enemy, Saul. Some years after David became king, he remembered his friend Jonathan. When he found out that Jonathan’s son was still alive, he wanted to show kindness to him. Mephibosheth had a disability. His feet were crippled. Mephibosheth was grown up by that time. But David made Mephibosheth part of his household.

These examples from the Bible show us how important it is to care for the weak and vulnerable. God has blessed us, so that we can bless others. As Christians, our response to God’s grace is to let Him make our hearts like His. He wants us to love the people He loves.