Remember Especially Needy Church Members

[Thompson, Darryl]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for February 18
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Remember Especially Needy Church Members

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Gal. 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 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.

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p. 53, 54.