TITLE: Issues that Divide: Orphan Homes
TEXT: James
1:26-27
There are 6 Devastating “D’s” which affect
children.
Death of parents
Disease – AIDS, cancer
Divorce – Often the children are caught in the middle
Desertion – For many, a simple solution is to walk away, abandon
Delinquency – Lack of discipline leads to “out of control” kids
Drinking / Drugs – The single biggest factor is alcohol and drugs
We have an obligation to the needy (including orphans)
God is a friend to the fatherless
God answers their needs through us
The Bible gives instructions for their care
Jesus gave positive teaching on this matter
We are to follow the footsteps of Jesus
The church of the first century supported the needy
We are instructed to do the same today
In the early 50’s some congregations chose NOT to support Orphan Homes
Then developed a division – “Antis” – who refused to fellowship those who did choose to support such homes.
I would advise against the use of the term “Anti.” All of us are “anti” some things. I am anti – sin, Satan, drug abuse, profanity, fornication, divorce, etc. The use of this term added to the further separation of the groups.
Orphan – one who is without support (physical, emotional, training, discipline) (James 1:27; John 14:18)
Home – an institution God designed as the basic unit of society
Support – Care, oversight, training, meeting needs, provided for
Visit – Not just a social call, a looking
to their needs and meeting them
NOTE: Visit (episkomai – Greek) [trans. Bishop, overseer, visit] see to
their needs, observe what is lacking and fill the void
Can a church support an “institution”, human organization?
Can a church take money from its treasury and
send to another organization?
If money is sent to an organization, does the local church lose control?
If the church is God’s only organization, is it right to form another
organization?
Is this similar to the missionary society?
Should the state courts be involved?
Should the Children’s Home accept state funds?
Is the requirement of James 1 individual or corporate?
Each congregation is autonomous (self-governing)
and can decide how the money is best used for the work of the church.
The local congregation can stop its support at any time. It is still in
control.
No preacher or eldership has authority beyond the local congregation.
Many commands in the New Testament are BOTH
corporate and individual.
Communion – Self examination, in assembled church
Giving – Every one of you (individual) lay by in store (corporate)
Worship – In spirit (individual) and in truth (corporate)
Singing – Understand (individual) and admonish one another (corporate)
Benevolence – Can be done individually or in the corporate
The church must obey laws and ordinances (city, state and federal). By-laws, purchase of property, accounting, building codes, tax-exempt status.
As for accepting state funds for the care of children – As long as the “strings attached” do not require a violation of our faith, there is no problem. For example, can a Children’s Home take the children to worship at a nearby congregation of the church of Christ? If one of these children is a Muslim, must we make sure they are able to attend the Muslim prayers?
Is the church God’s ONLY organization? No! God authorized several institutions.
Home – an organization for the training of children
Church – organization for evangelism and worship
Government – organization for civil laws and enforcement
School – organization for the education of children
Substitute organizations – to fill in
when others fail
For example, when the home collapses, an orphan home can fill the gap.
Who should be help? Widows, orphans, travelers, any one who asks?
Should we help those who will not work, lazy, moochers?
Should we help ONLY Christians (Saints Only) or all men?
Galatians 6:10
2 Corinthians 9:12-13