Chapter 33—Sympathy for the Poor
In view of what Heaven is doing to save the lost, how can those
who are partakers of the riches of the grace of Christ withdraw their
interest and their sympathies from their fellow men? How can they
indulge in pride of rank or caste, and despise the unfortunate and the
poor?
Yet it is too true that the pride of rank, and the oppression of
the poor which prevail in the world, exist also among the professed
followers of Christ. With many, the sympathies that ought to be
exercised in full measure toward humanity, seem frozen up. Men
appropriate to themselves the gifts entrusted to them wherewith to
bless others. The rich grind the face of the poor, and use the means
thus gained to indulge their pride and love of display even in the house
of God. The poor are made to feel that it is too costly a thing for them
to attend the service of God. The feeling exists with many that only
the rich can engage in the public worship of God so as to make a good
impression on the world. Were it not that the Lord has revealed His
love to the poor and lowly who are contrite in heart, this world would
be a sad place for the poor man....
The world’s Redeemer was the son of poor parents, and when in
His infancy He was presented in the temple, His mother could bring
only the offering appointed for the poor,—a pair of turtledoves or two
young pigeons. He was the most precious gift of heaven to our world,
a gift above all computation, yet it could be acknowledged only by the
smallest offering. Our Saviour, during all His sojourn on earth, shared
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the lot of the poor and lowly. Self-denial and sacrifice characterized
His life.
All the favors and blessings we enjoy are alone from Him; we are
stewards of His grace and of His temporal gifts; the smallest talent and
the humblest service may be offered to Jesus as a consecrated gift, and
with the fragrance of His own merits He will present it to the Father. If
the best we have is presented with a sincere heart, in love to God, from
a longing desire to do service to Jesus, the gift is wholly acceptable.
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