The concept of fostering, while not explicitly named in the Bible, aligns closely with biblical principles of care, compassion, and the nurturing of those in need. The act of fostering can be seen as an extension of the biblical mandate to care for orphans and widows, as well as the broader call to love one's neighbor as oneself.

Biblical Foundations

1. Care for Orphans and Widows: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of caring for the vulnerable, including orphans and widows. James 1:27 states, "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." This verse underscores the responsibility of believers to provide for those who cannot care for themselves, a principle that can be extended to the practice of fostering.

2. Adoption as a Spiritual Metaphor: The concept of adoption is a powerful metaphor in Scripture, illustrating the believer's relationship with God. Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" This spiritual adoption reflects the heart of fostering, where individuals are brought into a family and given love, security, and a sense of belonging.

3. Hospitality and Generosity: The Bible encourages believers to practice hospitality and generosity, which are essential components of fostering. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Fostering embodies this spirit of welcoming and providing for those who are not one's own by birth.

Examples and Illustrations

1. Moses: Although not a foster situation in the modern sense, Moses' early life provides an example of being raised by someone other than his biological parents. Pharaoh's daughter took him in and raised him as her own (Exodus 2:10). This act of compassion allowed Moses to grow and eventually lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. Esther: Esther was raised by her cousin Mordecai after the death of her parents (Esther 2:7). Mordecai's care and guidance were instrumental in Esther's development and her eventual role in saving her people, demonstrating the profound impact of nurturing care.

3. Jesus' Teachings: Jesus' teachings often highlighted the importance of caring for the least of these. In Matthew 25:40 , He says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me." Fostering children in need is a direct application of this teaching, as it involves caring for those who are among the most vulnerable in society.

Theological Implications

Fostering reflects the heart of God, who is described as a "father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5). It is an expression of divine love and grace, mirroring God's own actions in adopting believers into His family. By participating in fostering, Christians can demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible way, providing hope and a future to those who might otherwise be without.

In summary, while the Bible does not specifically mention fostering as it is understood today, the principles and examples found in Scripture strongly support the practice as a means of living out the Christian faith through love, care, and hospitality.1. (v. t.) To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up.

2. (v. t.) To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and promote; as, to foster genius.

3. (v. i.) To be nourished or trained up together.

4. (v. t.) Relating to nourishment; affording, receiving, or sharing nourishment or nurture; -- applied to father, mother, child, brother, etc., to indicate that the person so called stands in the relation of parent, child, brother, etc., as regards sustenance and nurture, but not by tie of blood.

5. (n.) A forester.

6. (n.) One who, or that which, fosters.

4939. suntrophos -- one brought up with, ie a foster brother or an ...
... one brought up with, ie a foster brother or an intimate friend. Part of Speech:
Adjective Transliteration: suntrophos Phonetic Spelling: (soon'-trof-os) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4939.htm - 6k

2282. thalpo -- to warm, hence to cherish
... thalpo Phonetic Spelling: (thal'-po) Short Definition: I cherish, nourish Definition:
(properly: I warm, then) I cherish, nourish, foster, comfort. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2282.htm - 6k

539. aman -- to confirm, support
... A primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse;
figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be ...
/hebrew/539.htm - 6k

And if Anything Happens which Does not Foster Ourselves or Our ...
... Book I. 10 And if anything happens which does not foster ourselves or
our affairs with joyous success? And if anything happens ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/10 and if anything happens.htm

Letter F
... Received 1836 * Foss, Cyrus "Received 1825 * Foster Archibald, "Received 1796,
Located 1804 * Foster, Caleb "Received 1836 * Foster, Herschel ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter f.htm

That the Most Sacred virgin Mother of God Died of Love for Her Son ...
... And how can one then imagine that the dear child of his heart, his beloved
foster-child, did not assist him at the hour of his departure? ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii that the most.htm

Dorrelites.
... One of Dorrel's lectures was attended by Captain Ezekiel Foster, of Leyden, a man
of good sense, of a strong, muscular frame, and a countenance which bespoke ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/dorrelites.htm

When Thou Feelest Thyself Most Indisposed to Prayer Yield not to ...
... The statement by the Baptist philospher, John Foster, contains the purest philosophy
and the simple truth of God, for God has no force and demands no ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter iii when thou feelest.htm

Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with ...
... To speak plainly, if they who reproach us with harshness, or esteem heresy (to exist)
in this (our) cause, foster the "infirmity of the flesh" to such a degree ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xv unfairness of charging the.htm

St. Cosmas, the Melodist
... Cosmas, the Melodist. St. Cosmas, surnamed the Melodist, was foster-brother of
[173]John of Damascus, to whom he was attached by closest bonds of friendship. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/st cosmas the melodist.htm

Life at C??sarea; Baptism; and Adoption of Monastic Life.
... [69] From his letter on behalf of his foster-brother, placed by Maran during his
presbyterate, [70] it would appear that this foster-brother, Dorotheus, was ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/iii life at caesarea baptism and.htm

Elucidation. Stated in Obscure Terms, with Advantage...
... Let me also refer to Bledsoe's most solemn and searching reply to John Foster; also
to his answer to Lord Kames's effort to help the Lord out of a supposed ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/elucidation stated in obscure terms.htm

Whether the Proper Matter of Studiousness is Knowledge?
... affection, according to Mat.6:21, "Where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also."
And since man has special affection for those things which foster the flesh ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the proper matter of.htm

Foster (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and promote;
as, to foster genius. ... Multi-Version Concordance Foster (2 Occurrences). ...
/f/foster.htm - 7k

Foster-fathers (1 Occurrence)
Foster-fathers. Foster, Foster-fathers. Fought . Multi-Version
Concordance Foster-fathers (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 49:23 ...
/f/foster-fathers.htm - 6k

Nurse (23 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Either one of the nurse sharks. 6. (vt) To nourish; to cherish; to foster. ...
of this verb is commonly used to denote nurse or foster-mother. ...
/n/nurse.htm - 17k

Manaen (1 Occurrence)
... syntrophos; rendered in RV "foster brother" of) Herod, ie, Herod Antipas, the tetrach,
who, with his brother Archelaus, was educated at Rome. Int. ...
/m/manaen.htm - 8k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... III. OTHER DOMESTIC RELATIONS 1. Foster-Father 2. Master and Servants 3. Host and
Guest 4. The Dependent Stranger The family or domestic relations of the Bible ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Nursing (14 Occurrences)
... suck." The feminine causative part. of this verb is commonly used to denote
nurse or foster-mother. According to Exodus 2:7 Moses ...
/n/nursing.htm - 13k

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A foster-child, an Ephesian who accompanied Paul during
a part of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4; 21:29). ...
/t/trophimus.htm - 15k

Cherish (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to
foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle. Int. ...
/c/cherish.htm - 13k

Family (438 Occurrences)
... III. OTHER DOMESTIC RELATIONS 1. Foster-Father 2. Master and Servants 3. Host and
Guest 4. The Dependent Stranger The family or domestic relations of the Bible ...
/f/family.htm - 87k

Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:13; compare John 5:21). David Foster Estes. Multi-Version
Concordance Quicken (16 Occurrences). Romans 8:11 But if the ...
/q/quicken.htm - 13k

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