Chapter 49—The Christian Attitude Toward Want
and Suffering
Today God gives men opportunity to show whether they love their
neighbor. He who truly loves God and his fellow man is he who shows
mercy to the destitute, the suffering, the wounded, those who are ready
to die. God calls upon every man to take up his neglected work, to
seek to restore the moral image of the Creator in humanity
Work for others will require effort, self-denial, and self-sacrifice.
But what is the little sacrifice that we can make in comparison with the
sacrifice which God has made for us in the gift of His only-begotten
Son
The conditions of inheriting eternal life are plainly stated by our
Saviour in the most simple manner. The man who was wounded and
robbed,
Luke 10:30-37
represents those who are subjects of our interest,
sympathy, and charity. If we neglect the cases of the needy and the
unfortunate that are brought under our notice, no matter who they may
be, we have no assurance of eternal life; for we do not answer the
claims that God has upon us. We are not compassionate and pitiful
to humanity, because they may not be kith or kin to us. You have
been found transgressors of the second great commandment, upon
which the last six commandments depend. Whosoever offendeth in
one point, is guilty of all. Those who do not open their hearts to the
wants and sufferings of humanity will not open their hearts to the
claims of God as stated in the first four precepts of the Decalogue.
Idols claim the heart and affections, and God is not honored and does
not reign supreme
It should be written upon the conscience as with a pen of iron upon
a rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion, and righteousness,
he who neglects the poor, who ignores the needs of suffering humanity,
who is not kind and courteous, is so conducting himself that God
522
Welfare Ministry, 49
523
Testimonies for the Church 6:283
524
Testimonies for the Church 3:524
366