While foster care as we know it didn’t exist, the Bible urges care for orphans and vulnerable children. Verses show that God values providing for those in need, making fostering a meaningful expression of love. Here’s more on this theme.
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What Does The Bible Say About Foster Care
Psalm 68:5
“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy.”
This verse reminds us that God has a heart for those who are in need of care and protection. He is a Father to the fatherless, stepping in to fill the void and provide a loving home for those who may not have one.
As believers, we are called to follow God’s example and become involved in foster care, extending love and support to children who are in vulnerable situations.
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
True religion, according to James, involves caring for those who are most vulnerable, including orphans and children in foster care. It is a reflection of God’s heart for the marginalized.
By actively participating in foster care, we not only demonstrate our faith but also reflect the love of Christ to those in need, providing them with a sense of belonging, stability, and hope.
Matthew 18:5
“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of welcoming and embracing children. When we provide foster care, we are not just showing kindness to a child in need, but we are also welcoming Jesus himself into our hearts and homes.
By loving and caring for these children, we have the privilege of experiencing the presence of Christ in our lives and being a vessel of His love and compassion.
Mark 9:37
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Similar to Matthew 18:5, this verse highlights the significance of receiving children in Jesus’ name. By opening our homes and hearts to children in foster care, we are not only welcoming Jesus but also extending hospitality to the Father who sent Him.
Our willingness to provide a nurturing and safe environment for these vulnerable children is an act of obedience to God’s command and an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Him.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
In this verse, God calls His people to be agents of justice and advocates for the vulnerable. He specifically mentions the importance of standing up for the fatherless, orphaned, and those in need of care.
Engaging in foster care is an embodiment of seeking justice, defending the oppressed, and pleading the case of children who may not have a voice of their own.
Psalm 10:14
“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”
This verse assures us that God sees the pain and struggles of those who are afflicted, including the fatherless. God intimately knows and understands the unique challenges these children face.
When we engage in foster care, we are joining God in His role as the helper of the fatherless. We are partnering with Him to bring comfort, healing, and stability to those in need.
Psalm 82:3
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
God’s heart is for the defenseless and those who are oppressed, and He calls His people to stand up for them. Through foster care, we actively defend and uphold the rights of children who may not have a strong support system.
By offering them love, guidance, and protection, we become advocates for these children, ensuring their well-being and helping to break the cycle of neglect and abuse.
Deuteronomy 10:18
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.”
This verse highlights God’s character as a defender and provider for the vulnerable. He cares deeply for the fatherless and the widow, and He commands His people to follow His example by extending care and support to them.
Through foster care, we play a role in being God’s hands and feet, providing not only physical necessities like food and clothing but also emotional and spiritual support to children who have experienced loss and abandonment.
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
These verses encourage us to be advocates for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Children in foster care often lack a voice and are in need of someone to advocate for their rights and well-being.
Engaging in foster care allows us to speak up on behalf of these children, ensuring they are treated fairly, protected, and given the opportunities they deserve to thrive.
Psalm 27:10
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”
This verse offers comfort and hope to children who have been abandoned or neglected by their biological parents, assuring them that God is always ready to receive them into His loving arms.
As foster parents, we have the privilege of embodying God’s love and showing these children that they are not alone, that they are valued and cherished.
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Fostering is an opportunity to obey the command of Christ to carry one another’s burdens. By providing a stable and nurturing environment, we lighten the load for children in foster care, giving them the support they need to heal and grow.
In fulfilling the law of Christ, we show these children the love and care of Jesus, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles.
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
This verse emphasizes the connection between our actions towards the most marginalized and our relationship with Christ. When we care for children in foster care, we are extending that care to Jesus Himself.
By recognizing the image of God in these children and treating them with love and compassion, we honor Christ and demonstrate His heart for those society often overlooks.
Exodus 22:22-23
“Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.”
This passage serves as a reminder of God’s justice and His expectation for His people to show compassion towards the vulnerable. He warns against taking advantage of widows and fatherless children.
Caring for children in foster care aligns with God’s desire for us to protect and provide for those who cannot protect themselves. It is an opportunity to participate in building a just society, both on an individual level and as a community.
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.”
God calls us to be generous with the good we have been blessed with. When we have the ability to provide a safe and loving home for children in foster care, it is within our power to act.
By responding to this call, we are not only fulfilling our duty towards these children but also experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes with using our blessings to bring hope and transformation to their lives.
Psalm 146:9
“The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
God’s care extends to the fatherless and the widow. He watches over them and ensures their needs are met. When we engage in foster care, we participate in God’s plan to sustain and provide for these vulnerable children.
By opening our homes, we become vessels of God’s love and instruments of His protection, offering these children a safe refuge and a glimpse of His faithfulness.
1 Timothy 5:3
“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”
This verse encourages believers to acknowledge and support widows who are genuinely in need. While it specifically mentions widows, the principle applies to all vulnerable individuals, including children in foster care.
By actively engaging in foster care, we demonstrate our willingness to recognize the needs of vulnerable children and respond in a way that honors God and exemplifies His love.
Psalm 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
God calls us to be agents of rescue and deliverance for the weak and the needy. By providing foster care, we participate in rescuing children from harmful situations, offering them a chance to experience love, stability, and healing.
In doing so, we become vessels through which God’s justice and compassion are manifested, demonstrating His desire to see the oppressed set free and restored.
Jeremiah 22:3
“This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
This verse emphasizes God’s call to His people to act justly and righteously. It specifically mentions the duty to rescue the fatherless from the hand of the oppressor.
Foster care provides an opportunity to actively engage in this call, stepping in to protect and provide for children who have been robbed of their innocence and have experienced oppression. It allows us to be a bridge to a better future for these children, unlike the world they have known.
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Generosity is a virtue that carries its own blessings. When we extend our hearts and homes to children in foster care, we exemplify generosity in its purest form.
Through this act of sharing, we not only provide physical care but also create an environment where these children can experience love, belonging, and the hope of a brighter future.
Hebrews 13:3
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
This verse encourages us to identify with and remember those who are mistreated and suffering. Children in foster care have often experienced mistreatment and neglect, and it is important to empathize with their struggles.
By opening our hearts and homes to them, we stand in solidarity and demonstrate Christ-like compassion, offering healing and restoration to their wounded spirits.
Psalms 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
God’s heart is for the rescue and deliverance of the weak and needy. Through foster care, we have the opportunity to be instruments of God’s deliverance, offering safety and protection to children who have been subjected to harmful circumstances.
By stepping in and providing a loving and stable environment, we can break the cycle of abuse and neglect, offering children a chance to experience a life filled with hope, healing, and a brighter future.
Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” “
Jesus has a special love for children and regards them as an integral part of His kingdom. When we engage in foster care, we create opportunities for these children to come to Jesus through our love, care, and guidance.
Through our actions, we reflect the heart of Christ, ensuring that no child is hindered from experiencing the love, grace, and hope that is available to them through a relationship with Him.
Psalm 10:17-18
“You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.”
In this passage, we are reminded that God hears the cries of the afflicted, including the fatherless and the oppressed. He not only listens but also defends their cause and brings them encouragement.
As foster parents, we have the privilege of being the tangible extension of God’s love and protection, offering comfort, healing, and a sense of security to children who have been traumatized.
Proverbs 29:7
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
This verse highlights the importance of caring for justice, especially for the poor and marginalized. Engaging in foster care is an act of righteousness, demonstrating our concern for the needs and well-being of children who may have been overlooked by society.
By providing foster care, we become champions of justice, ensuring these children receive the love, care, and opportunities they deserve, regardless of their past circumstances.