Christian Help Work
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their labors. That which has been done in this line is a work which
every Seventh-day Adventist should heartily sympathize with and
indorse, and take hold of earnestly. In neglecting this work which is
within their own borders, in refusing to bear these burdens, the church
is meeting with great loss. Had the church taken up this work as they
should have done, they would have been the means of saving many
souls.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:295
.
All His gifts are to be used in blessing humanity, in relieving the
suffering and the needy. We are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked,
to care for the widow and the fatherless, to minister to the distressed
and downtrodden. God never meant that the widespread misery in
the world should exist. He never meant that one man should have an
abundance of the luxuries of life, while the children of others should
cry for bread. The means over and above the actual necessities of life
are intrusted to man to do good, to bless humanity. The Lord says,
“Sell that ye have, and give alms.” Be “ready to distribute, willing to
communicate.” “When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed,
the lame, the blind.” “Loose the bands of wickedness,” “undo the heavy
burdens,” “let the oppressed go free,” “break every yoke.” “Deal thy
bread to the hungry,” “bring the poor that are cast out to thy house.”
“When thou seest the naked, ... cover him.” “Satisfy the afflicted soul.”
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
These are the Lord’s commands. Are the great body of professed
Christians doing this work?—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 370, 371
.
Good deeds are the fruit that Christ requires us to bear; kind words,
deeds of benevolence, of tender regard for the poor, the needy, the
afflicted. When hearts sympathize with hearts burdened with discour-
agement and grief, when the hand dispenses to the needy, when the
naked are clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seat in your parlor
and a place in your heart, angels are coming very near, and an answer-
ing strain is responded to in heaven. Every act of justice, mercy, and
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benevolence, makes melody in heaven. The Father from His throne
beholds those who do these acts of mercy, and numbers them with His
most precious treasures. “And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of
hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” Every merciful act to
the needy, the suffering, is regarded as though done to Jesus. When
you succor the poor, sympathize with the afflicted and oppressed, and