Throughout Biblical History, God has commissioned His people to care for the stranger, the widow and the fatherless. He has declared Himself to be A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalms 68:5, NKJV). Throughout the law, this was evident. It was also evident in the words of the prophets when pronouncing judgement against Israel for having forsaken their duties. As the early church exploded in numbers, including people who came to Jerusalem for the feast of harvests from many parts of the worlds, there was a necessity to provide for those who remained. They remained because the first church needed to bathe in the gospel truth before going out to teach others. Ah, but the massive crowds included the widow and the fatherless; therefore, came a social outcry amongst the early church as to how they were being provided for.
What lead to so many widows to be included in the early church? Deuteronomy 16:9-15 lays forth the regulations concerning the feast of the weeks or feast of the Harvest which occurred on the 50th day after the Day of First Fruits which occurred the day after the Passover. All from far and wide were to come to “God’s appointed place” to bring the harvest. At this feast they were to bring strangers, widows, and the fatherless with them. Therefore, on the day of Pentecost when so many were saved, these were among those in the crowd and among those saved. The initial church in Jerusalem had many obstacles to overcome beyond that of the Jewish leaders. Such rapid growth to above 20,000 presented many logistical problems as well concerning housing and feeding the crowds who were displaced from their homes.
Social Outcry
Certainly, with so many new converts, the majority were still babes in Christ. They were not exempt from all the natural conflicts of heart that we face within ourselves. We were told that they were of one accord; yet, there was this social outcry for justice. The true body of Christ, the church can be of one accord concerning the gospel message, the Lordship of Jesus Christ as Savior and King and the need for evangelism; yet, human conflicts may still arise. Here in Acts 6: 1-7 we get a glimpse into how these were handled in the early church. The Jews who were in Jerusalem from the Greek provinces were among the early converts. As noted above, they were faithful Jews for they had brought with them the true widows, the fatherless and the strangers from among them.
Now having accepted Christ as Savior, joining the ranks of the early church a dilemma arose. They noticed that the widows which came to Jerusalem with them were not being cared for the same as the Hebrew widows. Therefore, there arose “a murmuring among the Grecians” (Acts 6:10). Recognizing their own inability to be both preacher and administrators of this rapidly growing church, the 12 disciples chose “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (Acts 6:3) to oversee administrative duties. Of note, the seven chosen all had Greek names and included Stephen. Problem solved. Later in I Timothy we learn much more regarding the care for the widows outlined for the church, which in part I would like to address. Additionally, I want to look at the outline God gave His people concerning the care of the stranger, the widow and the fatherless.
The Stranger, The Widow, and the Fatherless—Old Testament
The Old Testament Law included distinct provisions for the widow, the fatherless and the strangers within their land. It was the responsibility of God’s people to provide for these less fortunate in their midst. Yet, the responsibility lay within the priests and the individuals rather than the government to do so. Kings were rebuked if they passed laws outside of God’s wishes causing unjust oppression of the people. However, the main responsibility of the provision for the poor was to come from the tithe system. And of course, the generosity of the more fortunate. Farmers were to “leave behind” some of the harvest so the poor could come behind and reap a harvest from that left in the fields.
Furthermore, every third year when the tithe was brought to God, Deuteronomy 26 laid out exact instructions.
The tithe was first to be brought before the priest with great rejoicing. Joyous worship and praise before God for all He had provided. Then the provisions were to be distributed to those in true need. Only then would God truly bless the people and the Priests with abundance always. However, the Levite Priests often became greedy and wanted to keep that which God designated for the poor among them.
Deuteronomy 26:10-16
10 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God:
11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.
12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
13 Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.
14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
Judgement Will Come
He (Jesus) shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:3,5)
When that day comes, what will He say of the church in the USA? Or of you?
New Testament:
In I Timothy 5, Paul lays for the specifics of how the church is to provide for widows. The first responsibility for the care of widows is to come from their own family. The church was not to provide for those who had other means of provision. However, if there are none, the church is to provide for them. There are other criteria which the widow must meet also. That is: she is to be “well reported of for good works” (I Timothy 5:10) and not “wandering from house to house idle tattlers and busybodies speaking things which they ought not.” (I Timothy 5:13).
Concluding Thoughts
- Conflicts within the church must be settled quickly with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Wisdom from God
- Care for the “stranger, the widow and the fatherless” falls within the purview of the church. God’s people are to be a generous people.
- The Social Outcry of our nation must be answered by God’s people. However, compassion must also be met with wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Not all is as it first appears. We need Godly men and women to lead the distribution equitably. Compassion without justice is not compassion at all.
- The church was not to adopt the ideologies of those they helped. Instead, they were to hold fast to the truth-Christ is the only way. Those who were lawless, offenders of the faith the disciples were told to walk away. Even though, they were to initially reach out to help them. (Matthew 10:14)
- My responsibility to God is to yes tithe to the church; but, also to care for the widow, the fatherless and the stranger as He provides.
- In this modern society where social outcry is constant, one must seek to know the truth. Having lived in Mexico, I know that whatever the housing and food given the immigrants being held is better than many have known before. I watched children gather garbage off the streets to eat . Some lived in the trash dump: a piece of tin over their heads their only house. Children are often sold or put to work so as to help feed the rest of the family.
- With so much depravity, human trafficking, drug cartels, and evil in the world and our country; we need a true revival of the church. The social outcry needs to be: Repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Twitter quote
[bctt tweet=”In response to the social outcry for justice, God appointed Holy Spirit Led Men with wisdom to fix the problem (Acts 6)” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Our only hope as a people and as a nation is Jesus Christ. [/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Repent and seek Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, today. He awaits with open arms, but not forever. ” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their disaster is at hand, And their doom hurries to meet them. Deut 32:35″ username=”effiedarlene”]
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Previous Posts in This Study of ACTS
If it Be of God, No One Can Stop it
What is the Big Deal With Hypocrisy?
One United Prayer of Praise. How with Perilous Threats?
What if You Were Forbidden to Speak of Jesus
How to Really Speak the Truth Boldly
Miracle of God, His Timing, and the Faith to Stand
Do We really Have Singleness of Heart?
What is our Greatest Opportunity at Hand?
The Remarkable Communication of the Holy Spirit in Revival
Is Being Filled with the Spirit a Different Experience?
What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
How to Wait with Cautious Discernment
How to Hold Fast to the True Gospel Message
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
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