Kay Warren, the wife of Christian superstar and often controversial Rick Warren delivered a loaded message at a recent conference of Christian leaders. In this article, she essentially questions the authenticity of Christians who claim to follow Christ but who do not heed the command in the book of James to look after orphans and widows.

As I read the article (and thought “Go, Kay!”) one of the quotes jumped out at me. At one point during the conference, Warren unloaded a howitzer on some of the greatest dirty laundry the modern church has to offer—our excuses for not serving. Here’s the quote that made my day:

“It has nothing to do with personality, it has nothing to do with spiritual gifts, it has nothing to do with economic status, it has nothing to do with your season in life… It has to do with accepting the responsibility that God will one day hold us accountable.”

Let’s take a closer look at each of the excuses named.

PERSONALITY: I’ve heard it a number of times at my church, as I’m sure you have. The excuse usually goes something like this: “Helping others just isn’t my thing. It’s not the way I’m built.” Translation: “This is out of my comfort zone and my comfort is more important than these people.” I’ve done it, you’ve done it, we’ve all done it. That doesn’t make it right and we need to own it. Regardless of personality, the love of Christ compels us to look after widows and orphans.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: I’ve always had a problem with our reliance on personality tests and spiritual giftedness tests, but I’ve never quite been able to put into words what bothers me so much about them. I think Warren really puts her finger on it here. While spiritual gifts are Biblical and while we are supposed to know what we are gifted to do, I think all too often it is used as an excuse to sit on the sidelines. Just because you have the gift of discernment doesn’t mean you can’t serve every now and then. Just because you have the gift of hospitality doesn’t mean you will never be called to lead.

ECONOMIC STATUS: Economic status is a great divider and the church is no exception to this rift between classes. The poor, who don’t have money, cannot afford to adopt and also cannot give financially to “the least of these.” However, that does not exempt them from donating clothes, food, a ride to the doctor on occasion or respite care for foster parents. The wealthy on the other hand have the money, and for the most part aren’t afraid to give it, but they want to give with strings attached. The modern widow is the single mom, and quite frankly most churches want the single mom to fulfill the roles of motherhood while working 40 hours per week. Of course, most churches aren’t willing to provide childcare. In fact, they generally want the single moms to just get over it and buzz off—not realizing that like a widow the wounds and the deep needs don’t simply go away.

SEASON IN LIFE: How many of us have put off that which needs to be done for God’s Kingdom because it isn’t “where we are right now” or it isn’t “the season of life God has us in?” The truth of the matter when it comes to the mandate to look after widows and orphans there is always something we can be doing. No, we may not all be in a stage where we can adopt, but the majority of us are all at a point where we can do something. Doing nothing and waiting for “the right time” while children are starving is intolerable.

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