In keeping with Isaiah’s fast, James wrote, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27 NLT). Widows and orphans were those who were left without means of support in the ancient world. They needed someone to care for them. The apostles first took care of the widows and later deacons were organized to do so (Acts 6). That made people care at the very core of the church’s mission. The church is at its best when it does not forget that.
