[Biblemat] Bulletin article

[Jimmy R Mickells]

James 1:27 And The Orphan Home
 
     When I obeyed the gospel in 1974, the issue of church supported
orphan homes had been debated among brethren for a good number of years.
This subject, along with a discussion of colleges being supported from
the treasury of the church, had already caused a great division among the
LordÂ’s people. It was very apparent that the discussions on this matter
had caused bitterness, anger, and animosity among those who once had been
good friends and fellow-workers for the cause of Christ. Much of the
controversy surrounded what James taught in chapter 1 and verse 27. Does
this verse authorize a church to build, maintain, or support an orphanÂ’s
home from its treasury?
 
     Is this a responsibility that is placed upon an individual or is
James speaking about the collective action of a church? Notice the text
around this verse. In verse 19, every man is to be swift to hear; verse
20, he speaks of the wrath of man. In verse 21, one is to receive the
implanted word which will save his soul; verses 22-25, the writer
instructs an individual to be doers of the word and not hears only, etc.
In verse 26, James uses several personal pronouns, he, his and his in
teaching about oneÂ’s religion. Then in verse 27, instruction is given to
keep “oneself” unspotted from the world. It seems evident that the
individual is addressed in these verses and not the church.
 
     Do we, as individuals, have a responsibility toward orphans and
widows? Absolutely! The word “visit” is defined as “to look upon or
after, to inspect, examine with the eyes; in order to see how he is, i.e.
to visit, go to see one; the poor and afflicted” (Thayer’s Greek-English
Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 242). Those who oppose the church
supporting such institutions have often been labeled as orphan haters,
etc. Such is not the case at all. If we are going to be what the Lord
would have us to be, then as one sees a need, has an opportunity, then
they have a responsibility.
 
     If one really believes the most effective way to care for orphan
children is through an orphan home, rather than dividing the church, why
not just send your individual funds to help aid such facilities? You have
ever right to use your money this way. It seems to me that the best way
to care for these children is to provide a permanent home for them
through adoption. If you are too old to provide such care for a child,
then use your funds to help someone who can. I have asked a number of
people through the years that have children, if something happen to both
parents, would they want their children placed in an orphanÂ’s home or
would they want them adopted? The answer that I have always received is
that they would want adoption. I wonder if the state knew this when they
got out of the orphan home business years ago?
 
     I have been told that the orphan home issue was nothing more than a
smoke screen to get the colleges in the budget of the local church. IÂ’m
not sure if such is the case, but one thing I do know, one man made the
statement that the colleges and orphan homes either stood or fell
together. He was right! There is not authority for either one. I was
given, what seemed to be a sermon, which was going to show that the
church could support a college from its treasury. I read it with great
interest, yet I never did see one single verse from the Scriptures that
would even hint that such is authorized by God. Where would one find such
permission in the word of God? 
 
     This whole issue makes me wonder if one is really as concerned about
these children as they claim or are they simply trying to shirk their
duties toward those in need? Does one think that they can drop a few
dollars in the collection plate on Sunday and that relieves them of all
other financial obligations they have toward the poor and needy? Why not
do that which is best for the children? I remember back in the 80Â’s, one
of local news stations in Nashville, reported that a bank in Lewisburg
had over a quarter of a million dollars in an account that had been
contributed to the Spring Hill Orphans Home by churches of Christ. It was
doing those children absolutely no good. I was told that many of the
churches that had been giving to this orphan home stopped once they
learned of this abuse. 
 
     May the Lord help us all too simply follow the pattern that is given
us in the New Testament for the work of His church. May we not be guilty
of adding anything to nor taking anything from His written and revealed
will (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18,19).
                                                                         
                                                         Jimmy Mickells
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