It’s heartbreaking to think of a child being abandoned, but sadly, the Bible addresses this painful issue. Let’s look at some verses that offer God’s perspective on this situation, provide comfort, and remind us of His unwavering love and care for every child.
Bible Verses About Abandoning a Child
Exodus 22:22 – God commands us to care for the vulnerable
“You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.”
Psalm 27:10 – Even in our darkest times, God remains our protector
“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”
Proverbs 23:13-14 – Discipline and guidance are essential for a child’s growth
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.”
Matthew 18:10 – Each child is precious in God’s eyes
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
James 1:27 – True religion calls us to support orphans
“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.”
Isaiah 1:17 – We are to defend the vulnerable among us
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless; plead the widow’s cause.”
Galatians 4:4-5 – Jesus came to redeem those without parents
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
Ephesians 1:5 – God adopts us as His children
“He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”
Psalms 68:5 – God is a father to the fatherless
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
Matthew 19:14 – Jesus welcomes children
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’
Mark 10:16 – Jesus’ love for children is evident
“And he took them in his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands on them.”
Proverbs 22:6 – Train a child in the right way
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Isaiah 49:15 – God’s compassion for children is unwavering
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
Matthew 25:40 – Serving children is akin to serving Christ
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Luke 18:16 – Jesus affirms the worth of children
“But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’
Deuteronomy 10:18 – God defends the cause of the fatherless
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
Jeremiah 49:11 – God promises to care for orphans
“Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 – Speak up for those who cannot
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Lamentations 3:34-36 – God does not overlook injustice
“To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth, to deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High, to subvert a man in his lawsuit, the Lord does not approve.”
1 John 3:17 – We must care for our brothers and sisters
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
Psalm 82:3 – We are called to uphold the cause of the weak
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the afflicted and the destitute.”
Matthew 10:42 – Even small acts of kindness matter
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Isaiah 47:6 – God calls us to be compassionate
“I was angry with my people; I gave them into your hand; you showed them no mercy; on the aged you made your yoke exceedingly heavy.”
James 2:15-16 – Faith should translate into action
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”
Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule applies to how we treat children
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Proverbs 30:17 – The importance of honoring parents
“The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.”
Romans 8:15 – We have received a spirit of adoption
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’
Also Read: 30 Bible Verses About Reflecting God’s Image
What Does the Bible Say About Abandoning a Child
The issue of abandoning a child is a weighty topic, and the Bible offers us significant insights into how we should approach it. Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of familial bonds, care, and responsibility, making it clear that abandoning a child is contrary to God’s design for family and society.
Firstly, we find that the Bible places a high value on the family unit. The family is often seen as a reflection of our relationship with God. For instance, in Ephesians 6:4, parents are instructed to raise their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord.” This directive underpins the idea that parents have a God-given responsibility to nurture and guide their children, not abandon them.
Furthermore, the Old Testament is rich with wisdom literature that underscores the importance of caring for one’s family. Proverbs speaks extensively about the blessings of a well-ordered household and the role of diligent parenting. Abandonment contradicts these principles by breaking the covenantal relationship that parents are meant to uphold.
The concept of care also extends to the broader community. In James 1:27, we are reminded that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” While this verse specifically addresses orphans, it implies a collective responsibility to support those who are vulnerable, including children who might otherwise be neglected or abandoned.
There’s also a significant emotional and spiritual dimension to consider. Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, often highlighted the treatment of children as a measure of one’s spiritual health. In Matthew 18:10, He warns against despising “these little ones,” affirming their inherent worth and the severe consequences of leading them astray or neglecting their needs.
By examining these passages, we can discern that the act of abandoning a child directly opposes biblical teachings on love, responsibility, and community. It is a betrayal of the trust placed in parents and caregivers and goes against the very heart of God’s commandment to love and care for one another.
In our lives today, these biblical principles challenge us to uphold the sanctity of the family and the importance of providing steadfast support for our children. They remind us that our care for the young is both a reflection of our faith and a testament to our commitment to God’s teachings.