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Duty Toward the Homeless and Destitute

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 1.

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Duty Toward the Homeless and Destitute

By G. W. Amadon

G. W. AMADON
1. What did God say concerning widows and orphans?
“Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.” Ex. 22: 22.
2. If injustice was done, what would be the sure result?
“If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.” Verse 23.
3. How does the apostle James define pure religion?
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1: 27.
4. What does the psalmist say of those who have a tender regard for the poor?
“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” Ps. 41: 1.
5. In referring to the way he dealt with the needy, what does Job say?
“I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” Job 29: 16.
6. What does the Bible say of those who excuse themselves from coming in contact with cases of poverty?
“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.” Prov. 28: 27.
7. What strong language does Job use in mentioning his general course toward the poor?
“If I . . . have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless have not eaten thereof; . . . if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; . . . then let mine arm fall from my shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.” Job 31: 16-22.
8. What do the Scriptures say of those who are blessed with the good things of this world, and yet do not minister to the wants of the needy?
“But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3: 17.
9. In interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's remarkable dream, what counsel did Daniel give the proud monarch?
“O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.” Dan. 4: 27.
10. What does God say of those who have a thoughtful regard for the poor?
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Prov. 19: 17.
11. In what way will God reward the soul of the liberal?
“Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” Luke 6: 38.
12. What did God anciently say concerning the existence of the poor in his land?
“The poor shall never cease out of the land.” Deut. 15: 11.
13. What does the Saviour say on the same point?
“Ye have the poor always with you.” Matt. 26: 11.
14. Anciently, what general law did God establish respecting the poor?
“Therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” Deut. 15: 11.
15. What did the Lord say about giving to the poor with a grudging spirit?
“Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him.” Deut. 15: 10.
“God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9: 7.
16. In what way does the prophet Jeremiah speak concerning God's care for orphans and widows?
“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.” Jer. 49: 11.
17. What does the psalmist say of those children who are abandoned by their parents?
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Ps. 27: 10.
18. How does God sustain widows and orphans and homeless children?
ANSWER: By moving the hearts of others to carry out the principles of the second great commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22: 39.
19. What does God plainly say of the liberal soul?
“The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Prov. 11: 25.
20. In a prophecy of the last days what does God say will be particularly acceptable to him?
“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him?” Isa. 58: 7.
21. When the Lord's people do this in the right spirit, what will be the result?
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health [temporal and spiritual] shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” Isa. 58: 8, 9.
22. In speaking of the closing work of the gospel, what does the Saviour say to his people?
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.” Luke 12: 32-36.
23. What is alms?
Webster says: “Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor; as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity; charity.”
24. Does not the language of the Saviour quoted above, prove that when the gospel message is closing, much will be done for needy orphans and widows by the church?
25. In the scenes of the judgment what will the King say to those on his right hand?
“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. . . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt. 25: 34-40.
Battle Creek, Mich.