We all struggle to separate truths from untruths, especially these days. Miscommunication and misinformation seem to be everywhere, about everything. The one source of undeniable truth we have to rely on is the Bible.
Children living in poverty are surrounded by untruths too — lies told to them by their circumstances of poverty. These lies can be particularly dangerous, having a deep and profound impact on a child’s identify and self-worth. Children in poverty hear and experience lies like …
I live in a garbage dump, so I am trash.
I can’t go to school, so I am not smart.
I’m always sick, so I am not worth the cost of medicine.
Imagine the damage this can do to a child.
That’s why it’s so important that sponsored children know and hold tight to life-giving truths from Scripture. So when you write to your sponsored child, look for ways to incorporate biblical truths into your letters. Help your sponsored child recognize and denounce the lies told to them by their lives in poverty.
Here are five biblical truths to share with your sponsored child to get you started …
Poverty’s Lie: I don’t matter.
Biblical truth: “Children are a gift of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3)
Children are a life-giving window to innocence, curiosity and faith. They are precious and should be protected. Perhaps one of the most significant verses about children is when Jesus said in Matthew 18:5, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Help your sponsored child understand the weight of these words.
Poverty’s Lie: I’m worthless.
Biblical truth: “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14)
It’s clear from Scripture that children have great value in God’s eyes. Some of Jesus’ harshest words of judgment are directed at those who cause children to stumble (Matthew 18:6). They are not even to be looked down on (Matthew 18:10). Help your sponsored child know that their Father in heaven is not willing for them to be lost (Matthew 18:14).
Poverty’s Lie: No one cares about me.
Biblical truth: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)
We know from Psalm 139 that the Lord knows everything about us, even before we know it ourselves — and he still loves us unconditionally. Help your child see that they have been loved from the very beginning, because they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Share with them that God created their inmost being and knit them together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).
Poverty’s Lie: Something is wrong with me.
Biblical truth: “God created man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27)
Realizing that we are made in God’s image changes the way we face our obstacles. Accepting God’s love is one of the first steps to overcoming poverty. Help your sponsored child understand that he or she has been designed exactly the way God wants them to be — and that they are nothing less than the crown of his creation.
Poverty’s Lie: I have no future.
Biblical truth: “For I know the plans I have for you” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Poverty denies children hope. When they are downcast and discouraged again and again by their circumstances, they start to believe things will never get better. Help your sponsored child believe that God has plans for them to prosper and not to harm them, that he has a future for them (Jeremiah 29:11). Help your sponsored child dare to hope again.
The impact of your letters to your sponsored child may never be fully measured or realized. But over and over, graduates from our sponsorship program point to their sponsors’ letters and prayers as two of the most important sources of hope in their lives.
Fill your letters to your sponsored child with truths from God’s Word, and give them a solid foundation on which they can stand strong against the lies of poverty.
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10 Comments |Add a comment
Thank you for these bible verses to encourage Erseline, the child that I sponsor. I will definitely use them in my letters going forward.
Hi, Claire! ☺ We are so glad that you found these Scriptures encouraging! Thank you for continually investing in sweet Erseline; we know that your letters are a huge blessing in her life. Blessings to you!
I just sponsored a child, Milly Oktavioni. However I am not sure just how I write letters to her. If I. could have some instructions I would appreciate it.
Thank you for sponsoring sweet Milly, Charles. The best way to write a letter is by going online to your Compassion MyAccount, which is available for all existing sponsors here: https://www.compassion.com/account/login.htm. Once you have logged in, you can choose to “Write My Child” on the menu bar on the left-hand side of the page. (Please keep in mind this menu bar may be in a different location depending on your device). You can choose from a variety of Compassion stationery and can attach photos to your letter. You can also send hand-written letters by physical mail! Our mailing address is as follows:
Compassion International
Attn: Correspondence
Colorado Springs, CO 80997
(A street address is not needed as we have our own zip code.)
If you have any questions about writing letters, please let us know! You are welcome to send us an email at [email protected] with any other inquiries. ?
Great to hear how others have used the suggested Bible verses to support their child. It is helpful to someone just beginning to support their child.
Thank you for this. My child sponsor is a toddler but it helps to read how I will change her life further by applying these Biblical truths as she gets older, reads, and understands. For now, I send her words of biblical affirmations that I know are being read to her. Thank you.
It truly is amazing how POWERFUL ? ? ?
GODS WORD is “the LORD is my shepherd: I lack nothing…”
Thanks so much for these Bible verses Catherine. I am always wondering what to write to my child and these verses and the explanations are great. In my morning meditation I use Psalm 139;14 every day to remind me that I am also wonderfully made.
Have a great day!
Jim
Good day. I have nothing to donate or give to a child at the moment in my life. I just wanted to ask, if just writing a letter will be enough, perhaps a child or children can be picked for me to write to, I would love this a lot. Until I can be able to sponsor a child fully. Thank you.
Yvonne Benjamin
Hello Yvonne, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time. For letter questions, could you please send us an email at [email protected]? We would be happy to answer any specific questions for you there. ~Taryn