No strays

A stray animal is usually understood to be one that used to be cared for by a person but is now living on their own.

Sometimes strays are abandoned by their human caretakers.

At other times these animals become lost and can't find their way back home.

Occasionally, strays may escape abusive environments and choose to live in the wild, even though it can be tough and dangerous.

Are there people who societies [we, fellow humans] may define harshly as strays, low-lifes, losers, and worthless?

From time to time, you and I may feel down, hopeless, and in need of cheering up, too, but most of us have a safe place to live and food to eat.

I'm thankful for that and more. How about you?

Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

The Lord Jesus Christ said, 

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

For the Gentiles [unbelievers] strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:31-33

ORPHANS, WIDOWS, and STRANGERS

If one were to do a word search for these 3 types of "strays" in the Bible, it might surprise due to how many times they come up.

Here are a few --

He [Lord] executes justice for the fatherless [orphans] and widow, and He loves the foreigner [stranger], giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18

A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in His holy habitation. Psalm 68:5

The Lord protects foreigners [strangers]; 

He sustains the fatherless [orphans] and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates. Psalm 146:9

In other words, God the Father says, "No strays."

James wrote,

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this:

to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26

Looks like WE have a job to do, too.

Are you a financial, time, or energy giver? Acts 9:36, 39; 20:34-35; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Galatians 2:10; Philippians 2:29-30; Colossians 4:12-13

Do you pay taxes? Matthew 17:24-27; Luke 20:22-25; Romans 13:7

Maybe we don't know personally any orphans, widows, or strangers. 

But our voluntary financial gifts and required payment of taxes may eventually help these, and poor people in general, as they obtain assistance from ministries and governments.

JESUS SAYS, "NO STRAYS"

Jesus said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Jesus replied [to a disciple],

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." John 14:23

We don't need to feel alone, even if we are.

"And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Your thoughts?

R. Jason