Dolphins, and Kittens, and Orphans, Oh My!

I was recently talking with someone about Orphan Care and throughout the conversation they kept lumping it together with causes such as Saving the Dolphins and Spaying and Neutering.

Wait. What??

It bothered me, but it also got me thinking. Maybe that’s the way the general public views Orphan Care- as a cause; a good cause, but a cause none the less.
So what sets Orphan Care apart from other noble causes like Saving Dolphins and Spaying and Neutering Pets?

Simply put, the Gospel.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

^“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14 (NLT)

When we care for orphans, whether through adoption, family preservation efforts, or support of the many organizations who are committed to helping orphans, we are paving the way to further the gospel. When a child’s mind and body are not consumed with survival, they are more able to learn about the God who loves them. When they see this love in action through His people, they are more able to believe that God is real. When they are in a situation where they are able to hear about God’s gift of salvation, the opportunity exists for them to have faith. Children who were once alone and hopeless are coming to know the Lord through the ripple effect of Orphan Care, and those children in turn are able to influence future generations.

 

This impacts eternity.

There are many causes that make the world a better place and I’m not advocating turning our backs on dolphins or kittens. I’m simply suggesting that we separate things of eternal value from things that are merely good. Perhaps the orphan that you help today will become tomorrow’s marine biologist?