Appendix
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pass them by, and say, “Be ye warmed and clothed,” and do not those
things that will warm and clothe them. The Lord Jesus says, “The poor
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always ye have with you.” They are God’s legacy to us.—
Manuscript
4, 1895
.
Assisting With Food and Clothing—The poor, our family have
had to assist in food and clothing, and to help the widow and fatherless
by money gifts as well as food and clothing. This is part of our work as
Christians which cannot be neglected. Christ said, “The poor always
ye have with you,” and in this part of the Lord’s vineyard that is
literally true. Doing good in all its forms in enjoined upon the Lord’s
missionaries by the Holy Scriptures. Read
2 Corinthians 9
. You see,
not only is our work to preach, but as we see suffering humanity in the
world, we are to help them in their temporal necessities. Thus we will
be instruments in the hands of God....
Those who have given themselves to the Lord will yoke up with
Christ and will work in Christ’s lines, ever looking to Jesus for wisdom
and correct judgment as to how to move. Many bring their zeal and
natural temperaments into their benevolence; they move by impulse:
they give to those to whom they take a notion to give; and others who
are every bit as worthy, they, like the priest and Levite, look upon them
but do not feel any particular interest, and pass by on the other side,
which is the side of indifference and neglect. Doing good in all its
forms is enjoined in the Holy Scriptures, but prudence and careful
consideration are needed to know how to show mercy and help the
really needy. The way that is profitable to both parties is to help them
to help themselves; open ways before them in the place of giving them
money; find some work for them to do; manifest discretion; and be
sure we make such use of means as will do the most good for the
Lord’s poor in the present and future.—
Letter 31b, 1895
.
Work Supplied to Needy Families—There were many here who
were poor and in need. Men who were trying to serve the Lord and
keep His commandments could not provide food for their families,
and they begged us to give them something to do. We employed them,
and they ate at our table. We gave them suitable wages until their
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families were fed and comfortably clothed. Then we let them go to
find work somewhere else. Some of them we had to provide with a
suit of Willie’s clothes, to make them fit for Sabbath meetings.—
Letter
33, 1897
.