TEXTS FOR THE POOR by ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1867

TEXTS FOR THE POOR.

By ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

To those who are toiling on from day to day, striving in an honest, upright way under heavy burdens, I would say, “Be of good courage.” If sickness comes, do not murmur and complain. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Let words from the Holy Bible cheer you to-day, and while you look upon the face of nature, while you hear the little birds sing, and see the flowers blooming around you, “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” “Consider the lilies how they grow. They toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to-day in the field and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind [margin, live not in careful suspense] for all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” “Hearken, my beloved brethren. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Remember that he said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

Be thankful for the home you have, and envy not the rich. “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” “For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.” “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

There is but one way for the rich and poor to lay hold on eternal life. Be not discouraged but with cheerfulness labor on. “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Yes, you can earn two mites even if your family is large. Jesus “beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.” And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing; and he said “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

If we lay up our treasure in Heaven, we become rich toward God, and shall soon obtain a rich reward. If we lay up for ourselves treasure on this earth, to-night our souls may be required of us. Then whose shall these things be? “For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Having food and raiment let us therewith be content.” “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

“Tho' often here we're weary, There is sweet rest above, A rest that is eternal, Where all is peace and love. O let us then press forward, That glorious rest to gain; We'll soon be free from sorrow, From toil, and care, and pain.”

My dear brother and sister, “there is sweet rest in Heaven.”

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

Bedford, Mich.