This is the most common response that I have gotten to any kind of comment about orphans or adoption. It is true, but it is often so obviously said out of defensiveness that it can be very discouraging and frustrating.
It is true that not everyone is called to adopt. But it is also true that every Christian is called to care for orphans, widows, and strangers. Adoption is not the only way to help them, but we are called to help. God speaks at great length on the subject of strangers, orphans, and widows; it is obviously very important to him. In fact, James 1:27 says this:
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
I don't know about you, but I think it is pretty awesome that God actually spelled out to us what He accepts as pure and undefiled religion. I mean, that is something pretty valuable for Christians to know, if they want to please the Lord!!
There are so many ways to help. There is adoption, obviously. There is foster care. There is international relief, which can take an endless number of forms: medical aide, sponsoring a widow, sponsoring a child, buying sheep for poor people of the world, donating shoes, donating food, donating money, going on a short-term mission trip, volunteering for respite care for foster families, etc., etc., etc.
There are 143 million orphans in the world.
God wants us to care for them. Every Christian is called to care for them.
THE NEED IS THE CALL.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
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