Our Duty to the Poor by Lois B. Richmond

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Feb 7, 1854

Our Duty to the Poor.

By Lois B. Richmond

"He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given, will he pay him again." Prov. xix, 17.

The Lord has said, that he is not slack concerning his promises; yet how few there are who dare trust what little they have of this world's goods, in the hands of him whose the earth is, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. They fear, lest if they lend to the Lord, they shall come to want; although God's Word says, "He that giveth to the poor, shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes, shall have many a curse." Prov. xxviii, 27. Again: "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard." Prov. xxi, 13.

Let us remember that we are not our own, but are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus; therefore what the Lord has placed in our hands to be stewards over, is not our own: it is the Lord's; and as his cause may demand of us that which is entrusted to our care, let us not be guilty of withholding it. We may not excuse ourselves because we have but little; but we can cast in our mite as did the poor widow, who, the Lord said, cast in more than they all; for they all did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all of her living. If the cause of God demands it, we may not be afraid to cast in all that we have, even all of our living; for that God who clothes the grass of the field which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Our Saviour has commanded us to take no thought, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed? but tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto us. We must seek first to do the will of our Father in heaven. If he commands us as he did the young man who inquired what he should do to inherit eternal life, to sell what we have and give to the poor, let us not go away sorrowful. Rather, we should have that unshaken confidence in the word of him who cannot lie to believe all things necessary will be added unto us.

The Psalmist says, I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. Ps. xxxvii, 25. We may trust in our riches, but they will not profit us in the day of wrath; "for riches certainly make themselves wings: they fly away as an eagle toward heaven;" [Prov. xxiii, 5;] but if our trust is in God, we have that durable riches which will never fail—a treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and thieves do not break through and steal. Then we are heirs indeed of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, to an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. O blessed thought! Who would not be willing to sacrifice what little they have of this world's goods, to the cause of God, that they might obtain so rich an inheritance. Jesus says of those that leave all to follow him, that they shall receive an hundred-fold in this time, with persecution, and in the world to come, eternal life. God will bring us into account for how we spend our time, and that which he has placed in our hands to be stewards over; and if we take the Lord's money and spend it needlessly, or in the support of pride, let us remember that we are taking what belongs to the Lord to carry on the work of the Devil; while the cause of God is left to suffer. Think you, that this is a little sin?

If we withhold from the worthy poor, it will be said to us when the Son of man comes, I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not; for verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matt. xxv, 41-45. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and any of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? Even so faith if it hath not works is dead, being alone. James ii, 15-17.

True faith will be known by our works; we may profess faith in the near coming of Christ, but if our works do not correspond with our faith, it will not profit us: if we have true faith, in the near coming of Christ, we shall not be laboring to add to our possessions, treasures here; but we shall seek to advance the cause of God, and lay up a treasure in heaven. Our blessed Saviour has given us an example that we may follow in his steps; he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor: he was despised, and rejected of men: a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief: he had not where to lay his head; and it is enough for the disciple to be as his master, and the servant as his lord. We must sacrifice all for God. We must lay all upon the altar: he will not accept of part of the price. We must not think that to give what we can well spare after supplying all of our own wants first, will suffice; this is only giving what we do not need; but we must be willing to deprive ourselves of some of the comforts of this life, that we may have it to give to those who need, and to advance the cause of God. We must not expect to share in the pleasures and comforts of this life, and of that which is to come. We cannot serve God and mammon.

Lois B. Richmond. Ashfield, Mass., Jan. 22d, 1854.