Chapter 4—Christian Help Work
Ministering to Those in Need
There is a work to be done by our churches that few have any idea
of. “I was an hungred,” Christ says, “and ye gave me meat; I was
thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me;
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I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” We shall have to give of our
means to support laborers in the harvest field, and we shall rejoice in
the sheaves gathered in. But while this is right, there is a work, as yet
untouched, that must be done. The mission of Christ was to heal the
sick, encourage the hopeless, bind up the brokenhearted. This work
of restoration is to be carried on among the needy, suffering ones of
humanity. God calls not only for your benevolence, but your cheerful
countenance, your hopeful words, the grasp of your hand. Relieve
some of God’s afflicted ones. Some are sick, and hope has departed.
Bring back the sunlight to them. There are souls who have lost their
courage; speak to them, pray for them. There are those who need the
bread of life. Read to them from the Word of God. There is a soul
sickness no balm can reach, no medicine heal. Pray for these, and
bring them to Jesus Christ. And in all your work, Christ will be present
to make impressions upon human hearts.
This is the kind of medical missionary work to be done. Bring
the sunshine of the Sun of Righteousness into the room of the sick
and suffering. Teach the inmates of the poor homes how to cook.
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd,” with temporal and spiritual
food.—
Manuscript 105, 1898
.
Carrying the Gospel to the Poor
The poverty of the people to whom we are sent is not to prevent
us from working for them. Christ came to this earth to walk and work
among the poor and suffering. They received the greatest share of His
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