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The Ministry of Health and Healing
Parents may lay for their children the foundation for a healthy,
happy life. They may send them forth from their homes with moral
stamina to resist temptation, and courage and strength to wrestle
successfully with life’s problems. They may inspire in them the
purpose and develop the power to make their lives an honor to God
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and a blessing to the world. They may make straight paths for their
feet, through sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above.
The mission of the home extends beyond its own members. The
Christian home is to be an object lesson, illustrating the excellence
of the true principles of life. Such an illustration will be a power
for good in the world. Far more powerful than any sermon that
can be preached is the influence of a true home upon human hearts
and lives. As the youth go out from such a home, the lessons they
have learned are shared with others. Nobler principles of life are
introduced into other households, and an uplifting influence works
in the community.
We might make our homes a blessing to many others. Our social
entertainments should not be governed by the dictates of worldly
custom but by the Spirit of Christ and the teaching of His Word. The
Israelites, in all their festivities, included not only the poor and the
stranger, but the Levite, who was both the assistant of the priest in
the sanctuary and a religious teacher and missionary. These were
regarded as the guests of the people, to share their hospitality on all
occasions of social and religious rejoicing, and to be tenderly cared
for when sick or in need. Persons such as these we should make
welcome to our homes. How much such a welcome might do to
cheer and encourage the missionary nurse or the teacher, the care-
burdened, hard-working mother, or the feeble and aged, struggling
with poverty and many discouragements.
“‘When you give a dinner or a supper,’” Christ says, “‘do not ask
your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest
they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a
feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will
be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid
at the resurrection of the just.’”
Luke 14:12-14
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These are guests who will be no great burden to receive. You
will not need to provide elaborate or expensive entertainment. You
will not need to make an effort at display. To many of these people