28
Welfare Ministry
of these, ye did not to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
Matthew 25:41-46
.
Jesus here identifies Himself with His suffering people. It was I
who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I
who was naked. It was I who was sick. It was I who was in prison.
When you were enjoying the food from your bountifully spread tables,
I was famishing in the hovel or street not far from you. When you
closed your doors against Me, while your well-furnished rooms were
unoccupied, I had not where to lay My head. Your wardrobes were
filled with an abundant supply of changeable suits of apparel, upon
which means had been needlessly squandered, which you might have
given to the needy. I was destitute of comfortable apparel. When
you were enjoying health, I was sick. Misfortune cast Me into prison
and bound me with fetters, bowing down My spirit, depriving Me of
freedom and hope, while you roamed free. What a oneness Jesus here
expresses as existing between Himself and His suffering disciples! He
makes their case His own. He identifies Himself as being in person
the very sufferer. Mark, selfish Christian: every neglect of the needy
poor, the orphan, the fatherless, is a neglect of Jesus in their person.
I am acquainted with persons who make a high profession, whose
hearts are so encased in self-love and selfishness that they cannot ap-
preciate what I am writing. They have all their lives thought and lived
[41]
only for self. To make a sacrifice to do others good, to disadvantage
themselves to advantage others, is out of the question with them. They
have not the least idea that God requires this of them. Self is their idol.
Precious weeks, months, and years pass into eternity, but they have
no record in heaven of kindly acts, of sacrificing for others’ good, of
feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, or taking in the stranger. This
entertaining strangers at a venture is not agreeable. If they knew that
all who sought to share their bounty were worthy, then they might be
induced to do something in this direction. But there is virtue in ventur-
ing something. Perchance we may entertain angels.—
Testimonies for
the Church 2:24
.
[42]