Chapter 5—Care of the Aged
Institutions Not the Best Plan
Men should not be employed to give their time and talents to the
work of bringing the aged or the orphans together into a company to
be fed and clothed. This is not the best way to manage these cases....
Nor is it best to erect buildings for old men and old women, that
they may be in a company together. Let them be helped in the very
places where they can be helped. Let relations take care of their own
poor relations, and let the church take care of its own needy members.
This is the very work God would have the church do, and they will
obtain a blessing in doing it.—
Welfare Ministry, 238
.
The matter of caring for our aged brethren and sisters who have
no homes is constantly being urged. What can be done for them? The
light which the Lord has given me has been repeated: It is not best
to establish institutions for the care of the aged, that they may be in a
company together. Nor should they be sent away from home to receive
care. Let the members of every family minister to their own relatives.
When this is not possible the work belongs to the church, and it should
be accepted both as a duty and as a privilege.—
Testimonies for the
Church 6:272
.
At nine o’clock we meet in the large tent with a few of the brethren
to talk over the matter which is constantly urged upon us—that of the
aged people who have no homes. What will be done with them?
The light that the Lord has given me was repeated: Let every family
[58]
take care of its own relatives, making suitable provision for them. If
this is not possible, then the church should bear the burden. The Lord
will bless His church in exercising benevolence. They are God’s poor,
and are not to be left unhappy and destitute.
If the church cannot do this, then the conference must take it up
and make provision for the Lord’s needy ones.—
Selected Messages
2:331
.
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