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God’s Dealings With Men, June 23
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this
world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised
to them that love him?
James 2:5
.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the great Teacher rolls back
the curtain, showing that God is the foundation of all faith, all goodness, all
mercy.—
Manuscript 81, June 23, 1898
, “The Rich Man and Lazarus.”
The Jews claimed to have descended from Abraham, but by failing to
do the works of Abraham, they proved that they were not true children of
his. Only those who are spiritually in harmony with him are reckoned as true
descent. Christ recognized the beggar [Lazarus] as one whom Abraham will
take into the very heart of friendship, although he belonged to a class looked
upon by men as inferior.
Human sympathy should be cherished in every heart. It is an attribute of
God, and is never to be banished. “All ye are brethren” (
Matthew 23:8
). God
has laid upon men the responsibility of giving sympathy to their fellow men,
of helping the needy, the wounded, the bruised. Many are demoralized by
their own course of action, but who of the human family can understand, as
God understands, the cause of their misery?
There are in our world today many wounded, cheerless hearts who need
relief. The Lord has agencies for brightening the lives of these disconsolate
ones. We may each put our talents out to usury by lifting the clouds, and
letting in the sunlight of hope and faith in Him who “so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life” (
John 3:16
).
Christ has shown us that there is a time coming when the positions of the
rich who have not made God their dependence, and the poor who have made
God their dependence, will be reversed. Those who are poor in this world’s
goods, yet who are patient in suffering, and who trust in God, will one day be
exalted above many of those who hold the highest positions this world can
give.
The Lord deals not with us as men deal. He gave His Son at an immense
sacrifice, that He might win us to His service, and with Him He gave all
heaven. This He did to show the estimate He placed on the beings He had
created.—
Ibid
.
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