Specific Funds for Welfare Work
201
help work will do more than the preaching of sermons.—
The Review
and Herald, December 24, 1895
.
It will be necessary that a fund shall be created so that the workers
may have means with which to help those who are in poverty and
distress, and this practical ministry will open their hearts to respond to
[275]
the truth.—
The Review and Herald, January 28, 1896
.
Men are appointed to proclaim the truth in new places. These men
must have funds for their support. And they must have a fund to draw
upon for the help of the poor and needy whom they meet in their work.
The benevolence that they show toward the poor gives influence to
their efforts to proclaim the truth. Their willingness to help those in
need gains for them the gratitude of those they help and the approval
of Heaven.—
Letter 32, 1903
.
Aided From Special Contributions, Not Regular Church In-
come—In the sixth chapter of Acts we are shown how when men were
to be selected to fill positions in the church, the matter was brought
before the Lord, and most earnest prayer was offered for guidance.
The widows and fatherless were to be supported by contributions from
the church. Their wants were not to be relieved by the church but by
special donations. The tithe was to be consecrated to the Lord, and
was always to be used for the support of the ministry. Men must be
chosen to oversee the work of caring for the poor, to look after the
proper distribution of the means in hand, that none among the believers
should suffer for the necessaries of life.—
Letter 9, 1899
.
None Suffer If God’s Plans Are Followed—There is nothing,
after their recognition of the claims of God, that more distinguishes
the laws given by Moses than the liberal, tender, and hospitable spirit
enjoined toward the poor. Although God had promised greatly to
bless His people, it was not His design that poverty should be wholly
unknown among them. He declared that the poor should never cease
[276]
out of the land. There would ever be those among His people who
would call into exercise their sympathy, tenderness, and benevolence.
Then, as now, persons were subject to misfortune, sickness, and loss
of property; yet so long as they followed the instruction given by
God, there were no beggars among them, neither any who suffered for
food.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 530, 531
.
[277]