Basic HTML Version
Remember Especially Needy Church Members, February 18
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10
.
In a special sense Christ has laid upon His church the duty of caring for the
needy among its own members. He suffers His poor to be in the borders of every
church. They are always to be among us, and He places upon the members of the
church a personal responsibility to care for them. As the members of a true family
care for one another, ministering to the sick, supporting the weak, teaching the
ignorant, training the inexperienced, so is the “household of faith” to care for its
needy and helpless ones.
It is the duty of each church to make careful, judicious arrangements for the
care of its poor and sick.
Any neglect on the part of those who claim to be followers of Christ, a failure
to relieve the necessities of a brother or a sister who is bearing the yoke of poverty
and oppression, is registered in the books of heaven as shown to Christ in the
[54]
person of His saints. What a reckoning the Lord will have with many, very many,
who present the words of Christ to others but fail to manifest tender sympathy
and regard for a brother in the faith who is less fortunate and successful than
themselves.
A true Christian is the poor man’s friend. He deals with his perplexed and
unfortunate brother as one would deal with a delicate, tender, sensitive plant. God
wants His workers to move among the sick and suffering as messengers of His
love and mercy. He is looking upon us, to see how we are treating one another,
whether we are Christlike in our dealing with all, high or low, rich or poor, free or
bond.
There is no question in regard to the Lord’s poor. They are to be helped in
every case where it will be for their benefit.
55