Chapter 58—Duty to the Poor
Inquiries are often made in regard to our duty to the poor who
embrace the third message; and we ourselves have long been anxious
to know how to manage with discretion the cases of poor families who
embrace the Sabbath. But while at Roosevelt, New York, August 3,
1861, I was shown some things in regard to the poor.
God does not require our brethren to take charge of every poor
family that shall embrace this message. If they should do this, the min-
isters must cease to enter new fields, for the funds would be exhausted.
Many are poor from their own lack of diligence and economy; they
know not how to use means aright. If they should be helped, it would
hurt them. Some will always be poor. If they should have the very
best advantages, their cases would not be helped. They have not good
calculation and would use all the means they could obtain, were it
much or little. Some know nothing of denying self and economizing
to keep out of debt and to get a little ahead for a time of need. If the
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church should help such individuals instead of leaving them to rely
upon their own resources, it would injure them in the end, for they look
to the church and expect to receive help from them and do not practice
self-denial and economy when they are well provided for. And if they
do not receive help every time, Satan tempts them, and they become
jealous and very conscientious for their brethren, fearing they will fail
to do all their duty to them. The mistake is on their own part. They are
deceived. They are not the Lord’s poor.
The instructions given in the word of God in regard to helping
the poor do not touch such cases, but are for the unfortunate and
afflicted. God in His providence has afflicted individuals to test and
prove others. Widows and invalids are in the church to prove a blessing
to the church. They are a part of the means which God has chosen
to develop the true character of Christ’s professed followers and to
call into exercise the precious traits of character manifested by our
compassionate Redeemer.
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