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What does the Bible say about foster care?

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The Bible calls God’s people to receive and protect vulnerable children with compassionate, generous love, reflecting the Father’s care for the helpless. James 1:27 identifies care for orphans as a mark of sincere religion, while Psalm 82:3-4 and Isaiah 1:17 command God’s people to defend the weak and seek justice. Jesus welcomes children and teaches that receiving them in his name is receiving him (Mark 9:37; Matthew 18:5; Mark 10:14). Foster care can therefore be a faithful expression of Christian mercy, supported by prayer, sacrificial generosity, and the church’s shared responsibility to care for families and children.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Psalms 82:3-4 11 votes

    [3] "Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. [4] Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked."

  • Mark 9:37 11 votes

    "Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn't receive me, but him who sent me."

  • Psalms 72:4 7 votes

    He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, And will break the oppressor in pieces.

  • Matthew 18:5 6 votes

    Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 5 votes

    [6] Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

  • James 1:27 5 votes

    Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

  • Isaiah 1:17 4 votes

    Learn to do well. Seek justice, Relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

  • Mark 10:14 4 votes

    But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, "Allow the little children to come to me! Don't forbid them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

  • 1 Samuel 1:27 4 votes

    For this child I prayed; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him:

  • John 13:34 3 votes

    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another.

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