Chapter 23—Helping the Poor to Help Themselves
Educate the Poor to Be Self-reliant—Men and women of God,
persons of discernment and wisdom, should be appointed to look after
the poor and needy, the household of faith first. These should report to
the church and counsel as to what should be done.
Instead of encouraging the poor to think that they can have their
eating and drinking provided free, or nearly so, we should place them
where they can help themselves. We should endeavor to provide them
with work, and if necessary, teach them how to work. Let the members
of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend
their own clothing, how to care properly for the home. Let boys and
girls be thoroughly taught some useful trade or occupation. We are to
educate the poor to become self-reliant. This will be true help, for it
will not only make them self-sustaining but will enable them to help
others.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:278, 279
.
A Call to Men of Thought and Means—The question will often
arise: What can be done where poverty prevails and is to be contended
with at every step? Under these circumstances how can we impress
minds with correct ideas of improvement? Certainly the work is
difficult; and unless the teachers, the thinking men, and the men who
have means will exercise their talents and will lift just as Christ would
lift were He in their place an important work will be left undone. The
necessary reformation will never be made unless men and women are
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helped by a power outside of themselves. Those who have talents and
capabilities must use these gifts to bless their fellow men, laboring to
place them upon a footing where they can help themselves. It is thus
that the education gained at our schools should be put to the very best
use.
God’s entrusted talents are not to be hid under a bushel or under a
bed. “Ye are the light of the world,” Christ said.
Matthew 5:14
. As you
see families living in hovels, with scant furniture and clothing, without
tools, without books or other marks of refinement about their homes,
will you become interested in them and endeavor to teach them how to
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