Pastor Robert Griffith Virginia: What the Bible Says About Welcoming the Stranger—and Why It Still Matters
Pastor Robert Griffith Virginia
Scripture speaks plainly about how God’s people should treat outsiders, orphans, and those in need. From the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus, we are reminded that faith is incomplete without compassion—and that welcoming the vulnerable is part of faithful living.
In Deuteronomy 10:18–19, God is described as one who “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you.” Then we’re told: “You are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
The pattern continues throughout Scripture. God reminds His people of their past to shape their response to others in the present.
James 1:27 calls pure religion “to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” This isn’t metaphorical. It’s practical. God’s standard of spiritual maturity has always included how we care for the vulnerable.
When Jesus teaches in Matthew 25, He makes it plain: welcoming the stranger, feeding the hungry, and caring for the sick aren’t side projects. They are marks of true discipleship.
In the context of foster care, these passages take on new urgency. Children in care often feel like strangers—even in their own cities. They live in temporary homes, bounce between schools, and wonder who will stay.
Churches have a chance to live out Scripture in a visible way. When we support foster families, volunteer for court-appointed roles, or offer rides and meals, we are doing more than helping. We are welcoming.
And that matters.
The church isn’t called to offer polite sympathy from a distance. We are called to enter into the struggle. When we do, we reflect the heart of God. When we don't, we risk practicing a faith of words but not action.
Some believers feel hesitant, thinking the foster system is too complex or secular. But Scripture was not written for easy situations. It was written to guide us through the hard ones. Loving the stranger, defending the orphan, and showing up consistently—these are not optional parts of Christianity.
They are central to it.
You don’t need a degree in social work to make a difference. You need a willingness to follow Scripture where it leads. Often, it leads to people our society overlooks.
That’s exactly where Jesus would be.
So as we study Scripture, let’s not leave the application at the door of the sanctuary. Let’s bring it into homes, courtrooms, and caseworker offices—where real children need to know they are seen, known, and not alone.
To explore foster care engagement, national dialogue, or connect with Pastor Bob Griffith’s book Fostering Jesus, visit FosteringJesus.org.