Adopting Children
169
own interests. If those who have no children, and whom God has made
stewards of means, would expand their hearts to care for children who
need love, care, and affection, and assistance with this world’s goods,
they would be far happier than they are today. So long as youth who
have not a father’s pitying care nor a mother’s tender love are exposed
to the corrupting influences of these last days, it is somebody’s duty to
supply the place of father and mother to some of them. Learn to give
them love, affection, and sympathy.
All who profess to have a Father in heaven, who they hope will care
for them, and finally take them to the home He has prepared for them,
ought to feel a solemn obligation resting upon them to be friends to the
friendless and fathers to the orphans, to aid the widows and be of some
practical use in this world by benefiting humanity. Many have not
viewed these things in a right light. If they live merely for themselves,
they will have no greater strength than this calls for.—
Testimonies for
the Church 2:328, 329
.
Is It God’s Will?—The question of adopting a child, especially
an infant, involves most serious responsibility. It should not be lightly
[234]
regarded.... The question for each to settle is, In doing this shall I be
merely gratifying my own wishes, or is it a duty the Lord has appointed
for me? Is this His way, or a way of my own choosing? All are to be
workers for God. Not one is excused. Your talents are not your own,
to employ as you shall fancy. Inquire, What would the Lord have me
do with His entrusted talents?—
Manuscript 35, 1896
.
Examine the Motives—We need carefully to search our hearts
and study our motives. Selfishness may prompt the desire to do what
appears to be an unselfish and praiseworthy act. The reason that many
urge for desiring to adopt a child, the longing for something on which
to center their affection, reveals the fact that their heart is not centered
upon Christ; it is not absorbed in His work.—
Manuscript 35, 1896
.
Shall Ministers Adopt Children—The question has been asked
whether a minister’s wife should adopt infant children. I answer: If she
has no inclination or fitness to engage in missionary work outside her
home, and feels it her duty to take orphan children and care for them,
she may do a good work. But let the choice of children be first made
from among those who have been left orphans by Sabbathkeeping
parents. God will bless men and women as they with willing hearts
share their homes with these homeless ones.