58:7Isaiah 58:7

The verse commands four practical acts of mercy, to share food with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor who are cast out into the house, to clothe the naked when seen, and to refuse to hide from one's own flesh.CH 564.1–2+2
To hide not from one's own flesh means not to turn away from kindred, family, neighbors and fellow human beings, closing the eyes and the door of the heart and shutting the needy out of fellowship and care.Ms 26, 1891, par. 2–5+2
The fast God has chosen and accepts is this practical mercy to suffering humanity, not mere bowing of the head, outward ceremony, many prayers, or abstinence from food while oppression and selfishness continue.CH 564.1–2+4
Those who do this work receive the blessings that follow in the chapter, light breaking forth as the morning, health springing forth speedily, righteousness going before, the glory of the Lord as rear guard, answered prayer, continual guidance, and life like a watered garden.Lt 25, 1894, par. 12+2
This is the work of every soul who claims to follow Christ, to be done by personal contact and sacrifice rather than by proxy, and it is the remedy for diseased souls, doubt and discouragement, bringing healing and new life to giver and receiver.6T 265.2+4

The verse commands four practical acts together as the fast God has chosen and the work required for today: sharing food with the hungry, bringing homeless and outcast poor people into one's own house to shelter them, clothing the naked when they are seen, and not turning away from human need.CH 564.1–2+4 This compassionate service is the beneficent work God requires, part of faithful service that belongs with keeping His commandments, and rightly performed it brings blessing to the church while also prescribing health for weak faith and troubled spiritual experience.CH 564.1–2+4 It is a prescription for maladies of body and soul, and practicing its rules gives health and the true joy of life.CH 564.1–2+2 The whole chapter carrying it is of the highest importance.CH 564.1–2+2

Not hiding from one's own flesh means not turning away from one's own kin and kindred, family, neighbors, and fellow human beings.Ms 26, 1891, par. 2–5+4 It forbids closing the eyes and locking the door of the heart lest a softening influence prompt kindness and charity, and it forbids hiding away and withdrawing where there is no contact with the needy for fear conscience will rebuke.Ms 26, 1891, par. 2–5+2 Those who have the good things of this life have a solemn duty to find out in love and tenderness what the poor and suffering in perplexity, want, and bereavement need, and to share what God has given to give them courage, hope, and confidence, acknowledging brotherhood instead of selfishly holding to one's own ideas and plans.Ms 26, 1891, par. 2–5+1 It also forbids shutting poor and working people out of fellowship, help, association, membership, worship, and heaven, refusing church standing to laborers such as a seamstress or a carpenter, and seeking a secluded religion for a select few.Ms 11, 1894, par. 16–17+3 Where they are excluded Christ Himself is excluded, for He took His position with the poor as a worker toiling at the carpenter's bench, preached the gospel to them in simple language they could understand and advance, and requires going to work right where people are among every class, high and low, palace as well as highway, letting light shine clearly, drawing all to the lifted-up Christ and the gospel supper without interposing self between the people and Christ.Ms 11, 1894, par. 16–17+3

The verse stands in a chapter that opens with the command to cry aloud, spare not, lift up the voice like a trumpet, and show God's people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins, a message for this time to be given to the churches over and over again.STB 38.3–4+2 Its mercy belongs together with loosing the bands of wickedness, undoing heavy burdens, letting the oppressed go free, and breaking every yoke.2T 156.1+4 It also stands with putting away oppression, accusation, finger-pointing, and vain speech, and with drawing out the soul and giving help to satisfy the hungry and afflicted.Ms 5, 1891, par. 1+2 Outward fasting with bowing the head, sackcloth, bodily humiliation, and appearance of devotion does not please God when joined to selfishness, wrongdoing, advancing and enriching self, oppressing others, and neglecting the simple duties of life, for such stern practical work for suffering humanity under Satan's dominion with no saving of self gives evidence that the Spirit of God is operating on a heart humbled before Him.2T 156.1+2 Thorough personal reform, self-knowledge, and doing these things bring the blessings God promises with them: light breaking as the morning, speedy health, righteousness going before, the glory of the Lord as rear guard, answered prayer with the Lord saying Here I am, light rising in obscurity with darkness as noonday, continual guidance, satisfaction in drought, strength of bones, and life like a watered garden and an unfailing spring.2T 156.1+3

In its historical setting the chapter described the nation's present condition and the reason for its calamity.1T 256.1+2 Isaiah 58:1-15 described the condition of the United States during the Civil War, a most unrighteous war over slavery whose dreadful state came because its inhabitants had forgotten God, trampled upon His law, broken the everlasting covenant, and despised His Sabbath.1T 256.1+2 National fasts proclaimed for prayer for a speedy and favorable end to the war were an insult to Jehovah and He accepted none of them while escaped slaves who risked their lives for liberty were met with contempt, abused, sent back to cruel masters and hopeless bondage, shut in unwholesome dungeons deprived of liberty and free air, and left almost naked and starving.1T 256.1+1 Obedience required instead loosing wicked bonds, undoing heavy burdens, letting the oppressed go free, and breaking every yoke through active mercy to the needy.1T 256.1+1 The fourth commandment was a golden link designed as a bond of union joining man to man and connecting earth to heaven and finite man to the infinite God, which the man of sin exalted himself above God to break, yet it is not broken and will continue as long as the new heavens and earth remain, so that while the law is broken Sabbathkeepers cannot expect God to fight for the armies as He fought for Israel when Israel kept the ten precepts in the ark, and they should on no account engage in the terrible war, having nothing to hope for from it while God's desolating power is upon the earth to rend and destroy and its inhabitants are appointed to sword, famine, and pestilence.1T 256.1+1

The fast God has chosen and accepts is practical mercy to suffering humanity — dealing food to the hungry, bringing the homeless poor into the house for shelter, clothing the naked, and refusing to turn away from fellow human beings in need.CH 564.1–2+4 It is not mere bowing of the head, sackcloth and ashes, afflicting the soul for a day, outward ceremony, bodily humiliation, display of devotion, abundant meetings, many prayers, or abstinence from food alone.Ms 27, 1906, par. 5–6+2 This is the work God requires now, to be done for God and for humanity so the world may have the light given to His people, by every soul who claims to follow Him cooperating with Christ through the power of grace as laborers together with Him.CH 564.1–2+3 It answers those who complain that He does not see or notice their fasting, showing the defect to be neglect of this plain required duty.Ms 81, 1909, par. 11–14+1

Fasting and prayer accomplish nothing and the voice is not heard on high while joined to pleasure-seeking, exacting labor, strife, debate, violence, selfishness, oppression, injustice, exploitation of the destitute, quarrels, self-seeking, and a wrong course.2T 35.2+4 God does not accept abundant meetings or many prayers in place of doing what is right when it is needed, and outward fasting does not please Him when joined to selfishness and wrongdoing.2T 35.2+2 These acts of mercy belong together with loosing wickedness, removing heavy burdens, freeing the oppressed, breaking every yoke, and removing oppression and injustice.2T 145.1+1 The chapter's work includes setting things in order and cannot be replaced by fasting and prayer.Lt 52, 1891, par. 34–35

Acceptable fasting is heart work, with good works springing from a heart filled with love.CH 407.1–2+1 It requires thorough personal reform and self-knowledge, closest self-examination to discover sins, decided deep and thorough repentance and reformation, confession and forsaking of sin, deep humility of soul before God, broken contrite spirit, inward purification, and firm humble reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ alone.2T 156.1+4 All must carefully and prayerfully investigate motives and actions, for God's promise to answer when His people call is on condition of obedience and compliance with all His requirements.CH 407.1–2+1 Without humbling the heart, repenting, and turning to God wholeheartedly, outward fasting and prayer have no value before God, who graciously receives, hears, and heals the backsliding of those who so return.Ms 33, 1903, par. 10–11

All praying and abstinence from food avail nothing unless this work of active mercy is resolutely done and taken hold of.2T 33.1–2+2 Neglect of these positive duties is why prayers for the sick and afflicted are not answered, while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course.TBC1868 57.1–58.2 Idleness itself is sin, and loving the neighbor as self requires working with both hands to give to the needy, helping a brother falling into decay instead of folding the hands and doing no good.Ms 26, 1894, par. 16–19 The verse therefore means actively searching for the homeless poor rather than waiting for them to come and beg for a home, drawing out the soul in sympathy toward them, reaching up with one hand to take hold by faith of the mighty arm that brings salvation while reaching the oppressed with the other hand of love to relieve them.Ms 47, 1912, par. 19–20 It is impossible to fasten upon the arm of God while the other hand is employed in ministering to personal pleasure, and God sees whether the heart is selfish even when people conceal their character from one another.Ms 47, 1912, par. 19–20+1

True devotion to God must be expressed in mercy and love toward other people, in doing justice and mercy, in practical godliness and Bible religion, in pure religion untainted with selfishness, and in unselfish practical service.Ms 76, 1893, par. 39–42+3 It is not mere profession and zeal in a false faith, nor self-confidence or self-exaltation, nor church activity alone, nor living for self-gratification and comfort while narrowing life around one's own comfort.2T 35.2+3 Claiming connection with God while neglecting such care is empty, for trust in Christ is joined with humility and works of righteousness for others.Ms 76, 1893, par. 39–42 Selfishness in the church is a spiritual disease whose remedy is practical, unselfish service for others and cooperation with God in saving souls, lifting up the endangered, poor, and discouraged and putting the chapter's principles into practice by those who have Christ's mind.Ms 52, 1896, par. 45–48+1

Living this out brings the promises that follow in the chapter: light breaking forth as the morning, health springing forth speedily, righteousness going before, the glory of the Lord as rereward and rear guard, calling with the Lord answering Here I am, light rising in obscurity with darkness becoming as noonday, continual guidance, satisfaction in drought, strength and fatness of bones, and life like a watered garden and an unfailing spring of water.Lt 25, 1894, par. 12+3 The acceptable fast is this active mercy — dealing bread to the hungry, bringing the homeless poor that are cast out into the house, covering the naked when seen, and not hiding from one's own flesh and needy kin — joined with loosing bonds of wickedness, undoing heavy burdens, letting the oppressed go free, breaking every yoke, putting away oppression, finger-pointing, accusation and vain speech, and drawing out soul and help to satisfy the hungry and afflicted.Lt 25, 1894, par. 12+2 It is stern practical work for suffering humanity while souls are under Satan's dominion, with no saving of self and no enriching of self, in place of outward ceremony, bowing the head, sackcloth and ashes, bodily humiliation, and appearance of devotion.Ms 81, 1909, par. 11–14+2 Such works of righteousness in kindness to the needy give evidence that the Spirit of God is operating on the heart and that the heart is humbled before God, they remove what obstructs God's light from shining through a person, and then that light breaks forth like morning with daily blessing, cheerfulness, and a pitying Saviour present as help even in greatest suffering.Ms 81, 1909, par. 11–14+2 Doing this also leads on to being called the repairer of the breach and the restorer of paths to dwell in, the breach made in God's law to be built up by those who practice this mercy with Sabbath keeping.Ms 88, 1899, par. 27–29

It is a prescription for maladies of body and soul, and for chronic maladies of the spiritual life that have reached the physical and mental powers, more useful than drugs.MH 256.3+2 Practicing its rules gives health and the true joy of life, connecting practical service with the giver's well-being in the promise of health in verse 8.MH 256.3+1 Doing good cures disease, gives victory over infirmities, and the consciousness of right-doing from duty well done and from giving happiness to others is one of the best medicines for diseased bodies and minds.2T 331.2+1 When the mind is free and happy in this way, its cheering, uplifting influence animates the mind and brings new life to the whole being, with new cheerfulness to giver and receiver.Ms 49, 1895, par. 7–9+1 Those who do this receive the rich reward stated in the next verse, with light breaking forth and health springing forth speedily, and God blesses and prospers them, while keeping homes filled with useless ornaments and spending on frivolous things instead of relieving need is rebuked and caring only for self cannot expect such blessing, for every man's work will be tested and brought into judgment and rewarded according to works.2T 331.2+1

It is Christ's prescribed remedy for faint-heartedness, doubt, weak faith, trembling, diseased souls, sorrowful ones who walk mournfully before the Lord, and the discouraged.6T 265.2+2 Those who are sorrowful should rise and help someone who needs help, look beyond personal weakness and sorrow, offer sympathy and help to others, and seek ways to bless family members, neighbors, and those around them.6T 266.1+2 Soul-saving begins by feeding the hungry and ministering to bodily necessities, which gives opportunity to minister to the needs of the soul and prepares the way for lifting up Christ, with the Saviour present impressing the hearts of the poor, miserable and wretched with their need.6T 265.2+1 This gives the faint-hearted something definite and solid to grasp and lean upon, and the leaven of truth in the soul will lead to doing the very work Christ did when He was on earth, a healing prescription directed to the discouraged as part of spiritual encouragement.Ms 87, 1898, par. 6–9+1

Such kindness is to be done as service without thinking of reward, yet it will not fail of recompense.RH Aug 26, 1909 No one can make heart and life a channel for the stream of God's blessing to flow to others without receiving a rich reward, suffering no loss but being repaid a hundredfold, like hillsides and plains that carry mountain streams to the sea and are left greener and more fruitful.6T 306.2–3 All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to God in this consecrated unselfish service receive constantly a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power, with the inexhaustible supplies of heaven at command, the breath of Christ's own Spirit and the life of His own life, and the highest energies of the Holy Spirit working in heart and mind.6T 306.2–3+1 By following this path of helping the needy and suffering, treasure is laid up before the throne of God, every faithful act stands registered in the books of heaven and receives more than an earthly reward, faithful performance gives a sense of satisfaction and creates peace in the soul of more value than gold, and this imparting of goods lent on trust brings action and reaction with more received to impart and blessing given.Ms 31, 1901, par. 14–16+2 In the night of spiritual darkness God's glory shines through His people in this care by lifting up the bowed down and comforting those who mourn.PK 718.2–3+1

It points past the passing fashion of this world to the enduring fashion of the world to come.Ms 71, 1911, par. 1–4+1 The Lord desires to send reviving, healing beams of His sunshine, and it holds light for those who rejoice in the hope of the soon-coming morning, showing an open door where a person can enter, meet with God, seek Him earnestly, and find Him.Ms 71, 1911, par. 1–4+1 There the righteous are rewarded with infinite bliss and boundless joy, with the immortal inheritance for those who love God and keep His commandments, a clear title that will never be questioned, with mansions prepared by Christ for the faithful and everlasting life for those who by faith take God at His Word and hold fast their profession of faith and possess the kingdom forever and ever.Lt 136, 1902, par. 17–18 These things are to be kept in memory when going out and coming in, with the meekness Christ showed in life and character, humbling the heart before God, and standing in right relation to Him.Ms 71, 1911, par. 1–4+1

The whole fifty-eighth chapter is of the highest importance, present truth and a message for this time to the churches.CH 564.1–2+2 It is to be given over and over again, read, studied and memorized whole, repeated when tempted, and proclaimed with earnestness that stirs hearts.STB 38.3–4+3 It is the work for today that God requires now, the fast He has chosen of practical mercy to suffering humanity — feeding the hungry, bringing the homeless poor into the house, clothing the naked, and not turning away from human need.CH 564.1–2+2 This work lays a responsibility by the Lord's commission on His people wherever they are placed, making crowded cities, villages, and country byways alike a mission field.Ms 39, 1912, par. 3 Doing it brings the promises that follow of light breaking forth as the morning, health springing forth speedily, righteousness going before, the glory of the Lord as rereward, calling and the Lord answering, light rising in obscurity, continual guidance, satisfaction in drought, and being like a watered garden.Lt 123, 1898, par. 4–6+1

Those who practice this mercy with Sabbath keeping build the old waste places, raise the foundation of many generations, and are called the repairer of the breach and restorer of paths to dwell in.Ms 88, 1899, par. 27–29+1 The breach to be repaired is made in God's law by the papacy and the man of sin who exalted a spurious Sabbath instead of the Sabbath of Jehovah, and it must be made up through conversion of souls and keeping holy the Sabbath in close connection with the works of mercy and necessity plainly marked out here.Ms 88, 1899, par. 27–29+4 It applies to the time when laws will compel all to observe the first day of the week instead of the seventh, requiring those who profess to keep God's commandments to meet that difficulty together without stirring up contention among themselves.5MR 82.3 This practical care belongs with keeping God's commandments and restoring the breach in His law, and rightly performed it brings blessing to the church and is prescribed even for those whose faith is weak and whose spiritual experience is troubled.6T 265.2

God has united the ministry of the word with medical missionary work and no man should divorce them.6T 289.4+1 Doing the will of God as here presented brings wisdom and blessing and enlightenment, giving abundant opportunity to minister to temporal need while at the same time being an instrument in His hands to bring the light of truth before a perishing world.6T 289.4+1 Carried on in right lines it keeps the ministry from an inferior place and keeps the poor and sick from neglect, as part of the work of the third angel's message and sealed with the seal of God upon those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord.6T 289.4+2 It is present truth for the people of God to be done in all places unselfishly with no part of the vineyard neglected and with the most earnest labor given to the most neglected fields, the ordained preparation to build up the old waste places and stand in the breach.RH Dec 10, 1903+2 This work is joined to the third angel's message, not a substitute for it, and must not obscure the message's great principles or the soul's spiritual needs, for people unable to understand the truth may first be reached through generous acts of care and then shown Christ's love and willingness to save them from love for their souls.Lt 24, 1898, par. 4–5

The chapter opens with the command to cry aloud, spare not, lift up the voice like a trumpet and show God's people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins.STB 38.3–4+2 It exposes the gap between outward religious devotion and a life made right with God, calling His people to practical care for the hungry, poor, and naked and to stop turning away from their own kin.Lt 259, 1903, par. 25–26 Its message warns against deception and applies especially to men entrusted with positions of responsibility who distrust self and fear God, teaching them to walk humbly before God and to give careful heed to His Word.Lt 378, 1907, par. 22–24 It represents churches that have broken God's law and disdained the terms of His covenant, whom God graciously calls to return through sincere repentance and confession, with obedience to His commandments as the basis of His covenant of peace.Ms 112, 1901, par. 24 It enjoins upon every soul the necessity of receiving Bible truth enthroned in the heart as the only power that keeps the heart with all diligence, answering what truth is for the times now lived, what eternal realities require, and what pure and undefiled religion requires, for individual souls are at stake.Ms 150, 1898, par. 33–34

The verse is a message of living reality to be proclaimed with power like fire shut up in the heart.Lt 23, 1900, par. 6 So proclaimed it brings those in the valley of decision to rise to their feet and gain victory by obedience.Lt 23, 1900, par. 6 It calls hearers to take heed to the commandments of God, to become followers of Christ, and to take their stand to keep all the commandments.Lt 23, 1900, par. 6

True keeping of the Lord's Sabbath holy depends on this service and is inseparably connected with works of mercy and necessity.5MR 33.1–34.1+2 True Sabbath observance includes this practical care for the needy together with faithfulness to God in tithes and offerings, and the Sabbath is dishonored by robbing God.Ms 25, 1888, par. 30–31+1 The chapter gives full and decisive instruction linking this duty with keeping the Sabbath and with the comfort and consolation promised to those who refrain from labor on that day, presenting active mercy as part of the Christian life and not a substitute for obedience, including strict observance of the Sabbath.Ms 159, 1899, par. 15–18+2

Feeding the hungry, taking the homeless poor into the house, clothing the naked, and not turning away from needy kin and fellow men are fruits of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour who pardons sins and transgressions and keeps from sin and leads in His footsteps.RH Mar 17, 1910+1 They show a faith that works by love and purifies the soul from selfishness, in which faith and works are combined.RH Mar 17, 1910+2 This benevolent work for suffering humanity is God's own appointed duty for every church believing present truth, to be mingled with advocating the commandments of God, exalting His trampled memorial, and repairing the breach made in His law, and done in supreme love to God and love to fellow men it gives significance and power to the truth, makes believers shine as lights in the world, and leads many more to believe.Lt 5, 1897, par. 2–5+1 The righteousness joined to this practice is Christ our righteousness going before as followers follow Him in love and compassion, identified as the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ shown in doing Christ's works, including bringing many who are in the darkness of error into the light of present truth, and when hearts are opened to Jesus His righteousness fills the life to bring spiritual health and joyful experience.RH Mar 17, 1910+4

This is the work Christ did when on earth, His heart drawn out to the needy dependent souls around Him, and it is the work He has placed in the hands of all who believe in Him as the light of the world whose good works glorify the Father.Ms 32, 1901, par. 8–10+2 Doing it is acting Bible truth so that it becomes spirit and life, expressing God's great love for fallen man shown in His gift for the salvation of the human race, and contemplating that love as shown in the Saviour produces Christlike love in the beholder as a living principle, reflected in the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.Ms 32, 1901, par. 8–10+2 It reveals the spirit that reigns in heaven amid distrust and alienation pervading all classes of society, for because the world was ruined through sin God so loved the world that He gave His Son and all that heaven could give for the saving of the lost, and if His love is received it will manifest itself in like manner by giving all.STMW7 58.1+1 The feeding of the five thousand teaches this duty as evidence of Christ's beneficence, showing compassion and interest for fellow men seeking the way of salvation, making earnest interested efforts so those anxious to hear the word of life have opportunity, not neglecting the weary and hungry, studying the best ways of helping people, not making the way to Christ wearisome and objectionable, removing everything that would obstruct the path, and doing all that is possible so none is sent away faint, weary, and discouraged.DA 369.1+1 The command calls for giving what is in hand even when need is great and means are small, without holding back for fear of spending all and being spent for others, and it is also a promise backed by the same power that fed the multitude beside the sea, so those who obey in full reliance on God will have their little store multiplied to meet the need.DA 369.1+1

In spiritual application, dealing bread means dealing the bread of life and planting the Word of God in many hearts and hungering souls.10MR 320.1–321.3+2 This is done through neighborhood missionary work by visiting friends and neighboring families to create an interest in present truth and lift up Christ before the world, rather than sitting in church Sabbath after Sabbath listening to preaching while ministers hover over believers repeating the same truths, and those who cannot leave home for a mission field fulfill it by being missionaries where they are, laboring in simplicity with love for God to win souls and helping others take hold upon eternal realities.7MR 29.3–30.2+2 Giving food to the hungry means giving fellow men spiritual food, the Word of the living God instead of froth and fables, by being doers of the Word and teaching people who have souls to save or lose the terms of salvation to worship and serve God only, going to work right where one is among every class of people, refusing to shut anyone out or stand between Christ and the people, for the fields are ready for harvest.Lt 305, 1905, par. 1–3+1 Restaurant work that serves physical needs must not keep workers from giving the gospel, the bread of life, to people who are spiritually hungry.7MR 29.3–30.2+1 Covering the naked is in perfect harmony with Christ's mission to preach to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, free captives, give recovery of sight to the blind, and set at liberty the bruised, by taking truth mixed with error and tradition, removing the rubbish, rescuing truth from error and restoring it to its native loveliness, then letting it stand before the people.5MR 40.1–41.1 As God's peculiar, royal, holy people called out of darkness and blindness into marvelous light, they do this by showing forth His power, not letting their mouths be stopped, refusing falsehood from tradition, putting away self and human ideas and opinions, and speaking the truth as it is in Jesus so the truth makes its own impression.5MR 40.1–41.1

The chapter is to be studied alongside God's promises and calls in Isaiah 45, 49, and 55 in connection with conversion and with adopting Christ's manner of witnessing to the Lord's power, and with Isaiah 55 and 56 it applies to present experience, telling what needs to be done in right lines while time is rapidly passing and laying on God's people the necessity of arousing themselves to give the last note of warning to save a perishing world.Lt 366, 1907, par. 3+2 It belongs to the statement of God's covenant with the people He is seeking to save today, the terms of salvation, and the education of most value today.Ms 92, 1899, par. 10–12 Memorized whole and repeated when Satan tempts, it walls the soul with divine restrictions and instructions, and met with It is written it most effectually resists Satan when he leads the mind to dwell on earthly and sensual things.GW92 417.3–418.2 It also answers his doubts about whether believers are really the people God is leading and preparing by tests and provings to stand in the great day, by presenting clear evidence from God's word that they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.GW92 417.3–418.2

The verse is fulfilled when Christ's life is in the heart, revealing itself in a refreshing influence upon those around.Ms 6, 1893, par. 3–4

Feeding the hungry, housing the homeless poor, clothing the naked, and refusing to turn away from needy kin and fellow human beings is the required work of every soul who claims to follow Christ, of every church believing present truth, of each family, and of all classes noble and lowly in these last days, with responsibility resting wherever one is placed.Ms 31, 1909, par. 1–5+3 Baptism extends this service, for when one is led down into the water and baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, three great heavenly powers are pledged to care for and work for the baptized if the principles are carried out, separation from the world is maintained, and the old life is not continued unchanged.Ms 186, 1907, par. 7 Every talent of means must be put to active use rather than hoarded or buried selfishly in the earth, doing greater good with means than by preaching while retaining them, so that principal with interest can be presented doubled when the Master demands an account of stewardship.2T 684.2 This practical ministry is to be carried everywhere, even to regions beyond, sowing seed in good works among those who have not had the light of present truth, laboring for all with equal care free from selfishness, treating the whole world as the field, teaching God's word and praying for those in the darkness of error so that good works glorify God.RH Sep 16, 1909 Neglect of this plain required duty is the defect in those who complain that God does not hear their fasting, while doing it in supreme love to God and love to fellow men is faith working by love that purifies the soul, gives significance and power to truth, makes believers shine as lights, and leads many more to believe.Ms 31, 1909, par. 1–5+1

Bringing the homeless poor into one's own house and covering the naked is individual work that cannot be done by proxy and must not be left to committees, institutions, or organized charities, but demands individual responsibility, individual effort, personal sacrifice, and direct contact through which the blessings of the gospel are communicated.RH May 9, 1912+2 It belongs to every Christian and to the different churches themselves rather than depending largely upon institutions, and includes taking orphan children left unprovided for when fathers and mothers die into homes to be cared for by the church.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16 The needy must be actively searched for rather than waited for to come and beg for a home, drawing out the soul in sympathy toward them and welcoming them in.Ms 47, 1912, par. 19–20+1 This is the sign of true godliness that loves God supremely and neighbor as self, giving evidence of being Christlike through personal self-denial and self-sacrifice, reaching up with one hand to take hold by faith of the mighty arm that brings salvation while reaching the oppressed with the other hand of love to relieve them.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16+2 Those who do this appointed work bless others and are themselves blessed, with reflex influence on their own souls so that despondency is forgotten, the weak become strong, the ignorant become intelligent, and all find an unfailing helper, while a light shines in every Christian home in behalf of the ignorant leading them to the source of all knowledge.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16+2

Ministers, physicians, nurses, parents, students, and workers in every line are to share in this work for this time, laboring with a constantly enlarging understanding of what is truth and with no departure from the instruction of the Word.Ms 57, 1912, par. 16 Faith must be practiced through practical, Christlike service, which is the very work specified to be done in these last days, calling for faith combined with works rather than merely theoretical belief, fulfilled in medical missionary work and in educating students to serve the Lord.Lt 55, 1897, par. 9–11 Its principles are to be visible in medical institutions and sanitariums in the care given to patients, preserving the sacred influence of truth through the work, keeping truth and religious principles clear, showing justice, mercy and truth, charging fairly in proportion to work done, and exploiting no suffering patient.Ms 169, 1899, par. 43+2 Students are to be trained to use simple natural remedies under the direction of Jesus Christ, and those who accept the truth are to live it so that patients see it put into practice.Ms 169, 1899, par. 43+1 Neglecting it after receiving light fails to walk in the light and fails to set a right example, while those who do it receive the Spirit and favor of God.Lt 55, 1897, par. 9–11

The work means not only ministering to people but teaching them to minister and imparting right principles to others, for truth that is not lived and not imparted loses its life-giving power and healing virtue, and its blessing can be retained only as it is shared.MH 148.4 It calls for generous, compassionate service as part of gospel work after Christ's benevolent ministry, relieving the necessities of humanity wherever suffering or oppression is seen and refusing to live merely for self.Ms 7, 1908, par. 4+1 It means more than gifts and more than sermonizing, requiring cheerful countenance, hopeful words, kindly hand-clasp, and close personal touch as Christ laid His hands on the sick when He healed them.COL 417.3–418.2 If Christ abides within, the heart is full of divine sympathy and the sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love are unsealed to meet wants that only His love can satisfy, by bringing back sunshine to the hopeless, speaking cheer to the discouraged, being ever ready to speak a word in season to the weary, praying for souls, reading the word of God to those who need the bread of life, and bringing the soul-sick whom no earthly balm or physician can heal to Jesus where there is a balm and a Physician.COL 417.3–418.2+1

Taking in the homeless poor means taking fatherless and motherless children left when parents die, destitute children lacking proper care, and homeless fatherless children with their mothers into homes to bring them up.2T 33.1–2+3 Compassion for widows and orphans is to be shown in both prayer and practical deeds, with personal care for children, youth, the aged, the infirm and the oppressed, and God remembers and rewards it.Ms 32, 1893, par. 1+2 This care belongs to every Christian and to each family and church first within its own community without passing the needy off to others or leaving them to the world, then to others as appropriate, and it is not to be done by proxy through committees, institutions or organized charities but by direct personal contact, self-denial and sacrifice.Ms 32, 1893, par. 1+2 It must be actively sought by searching for the needy rather than waiting for them to beg, with thoughtful planning and tender help for necessities close at hand and not neglect of those nearby while attention goes to outsiders.Ms 32, 1893, par. 1+2 When so done it is the sign of true godliness that loves God supremely and neighbor as self, giving evidence of being Christlike, and a light shines in every Christian home in behalf of the ignorant leading them to the source of all knowledge.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16

Housing the outcast poor applies especially to new converts and worthy poor families who have moral courage to accept truth and in consequence lose positions and are refused work to support their families.6T 85.1+2 They must be given special help, sustenance and employment as those who love God and keep His commandments, so they are not left without help and forced to work on the Sabbath or left to starve.6T 85.1+2 Those on the Lord's side are to be a warm-hearted, self-denying, self-sacrificing people who cheerfully minister to brethren in need, and God's means should be used to sustain them.6T 85.1+1 God's funds must not be diverted from them to absorb nearly all means in institutions for infants or the degraded or in concentrated slum work in one place that spends much for very little return and consumes without producing, at the expense of the special work of proclaiming the third angel's message and of evangelistic labor in all cities with temperance work, warning on the Sabbath question, well-planned methods for cities and wise camp meetings reaching all classes especially the higher classes.Ms 197, 1899, par. 17–18+1

Its instruction is applied especially to relieving the hardship of Black people in the South, including Nashville, and to working together with God in active merciful help rather than selfishness or neglect.Lt 125, 1905, par. 5–6+1 Among the destitute poor of the Southern field where people have sunk low the work must be begun from nothing because everything is wrong, requiring money raised for missions to be sent to that unhelped field rather than to places already helped and to be used directly for physical necessities, with accountability to God for keeping it back.Ms 37, 1901, par. 14–15 It is Christian-help work to be done by Sabbath-keeping families who move South to live out truth before those who know it not, while being a help to one another and careful to do nothing that hedges up the way.7T 227.4 They are to go from house to house helping where help is needed and as opportunity offers telling the story of the cross with Christ as the text, not dwelling on doctrinal subjects but speaking of His work and sacrifice and holding up His righteousness while revealing His purity in the life, prefacing the message by deeds of love and benevolence as Christ did, for practical sympathy with deeds as well as words has far stronger influence than preaching sermons alone.7T 227.4

True liberality requires economy, simplicity, self-denial and close economy to save in order to give, with pride and worldly ambition put away in the unselfishness seen in Christ's life.MH 206.3+1 Money must not gratify taste for frivolous things and fill homes with useless ornaments while families are poorly clad and houses lack things necessary for comfort, but must be turned to relieve suffering, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the poor.RH Jun 6, 1907+2 It rebukes lavish tables, expensive garments, costly decorations, pictures, furniture, multiplied pictures of self and family, bicycles that can be done without, display in dress and other fancies and self-gratification, calling instead for physical powers to be exercised in less expensive ways.Ms 49, 1895, par. 7–9+2 Means so saved are to relieve missions, open new fields in regions beyond, supply destitute missions, build humble houses of worship for poor new believers who cannot command means to build because of great poverty, advance God's cause including healing work, and lay up treasure beside God's throne.RH Sep 5, 1907+1 The commands are to be kept continually before the eyes, for walls, pictures and furnishings call for sheltering the poor, the wardrobe calls for clothing the naked, and the table laden with food calls for feeding the hungry.MH 206.3+1

The home itself is to be made a blessing through hospitality governed not by worldly custom but by the Spirit of Christ and the teaching of His word, including the poor, the stranger and religious workers on all occasions of social and religious rejoicing and tenderly caring for them in sickness and need.MH 352.4 Such welcome is to be given to the missionary nurse or teacher, the care-burdened working mother, the feeble and aged without a home who struggle with poverty and discouragement, and others lacking food and a place to sleep, cheering and encouraging them and meeting hunger and need for shelter.MH 352.4+1 Children are to be taught this duty at home as instruction to be studied and carried out, since the example set there can prepare them for salvation or lead toward ways contrary to God's word, and home missionary work beginning in the family prepares an army for foreign fields.Ms 81, 1912, par. 13–14+1 Under the Holy Spirit this compassionate work of putting arms around the needy, oppressed and suffering, breaking every yoke, lifting the bowed down and restoring God's moral image reshapes character to express God's image and leads at last to seeing Him in beauty, perpetuating Christ's name in praise and thankfulness.Ms 12, 1895, par. 41

Relief of physical need is often the only avenue by which those who will not listen to preaching or attend service can be approached, including the fallen, degraded, wounded and ready to perish and those in darkness of error.Lt 83, 1897, par. 11–13+2 Outcasts are to be fed, washed and decently clothed and then shown Christ's love and willingness to save, with sympathy first meeting physical necessities and then bringing before minds truth as it is in Jesus and present truth, joined to the third angel's message without obscuring its great principles or spiritual needs and coming from love for souls.Lt 24, 1898, par. 4–5+1 Done in unselfish love with no inducement of earthly praise, pay or compensation, as only the messenger of Christ's love and pity ever tenderly pointing to Him, it brings a ray of hope to the defeated, touches hearts, springs up gratitude, kindles faith in those with no faith in God who have lost confidence in man, shows God cares, makes it easier to believe in Christ's love, and prepares them to pray, to have the Word read, to hear of the Saviour and to listen to its teaching.CH 418.4+2 In this way many from the very depths of degradation, some once of fine minds and rich qualifications, are rescued to a rock foundation for faith and saved, prejudice is broken, doors otherwise closed are opened, understanding of the Word is enlarged, the Holy Spirit cooperates, divine love is kindled in the worker, moral and mental powers awaken, and angels work together with human agents relieving oppression and suffering.Lt 83, 1897, par. 11–13+1

Neglecting this duty while retaining means, hoarding, burying talents selfishly, living extravagantly or leaving the needy to the world is disobedience, unfaithful stewardship and robbery toward God who is no respecter of persons and will excuse no unfairness.2T 684.2+2 Those entrusted with talents of means, old and young, must put money to active use to advance the cause, bless the needy and relieve the destitute rather than doing greater good only by preaching, so talents can be presented doubled with principal and interest when the Master demands account.2T 684.2 It is God's finger-writing against selfish expenditure and a test of past life by how many have been blessed and hearts made grateful, and neglect leaves life destitute of good, noble, generous actions and marked by selfishness and stinginess, costing souls for whom Christ died.2T 684.2+1 Refusing to help fellow beings is failure to care for fellow humanity and is identified with the sins of Sodom, while hoarded treasures are good for nothing and held to destruction of the soul, since value in heavenly courts is estimated by good done here like the breaking of precious ointment whose fragrance fills the house for Christ's refreshment.ST Jun 25, 1894+1 Means are therefore to be given to establish hospitals and sanitariums to relieve suffering with physical relief while presenting the bread of heaven, revealing the covenant-keeping Lord's goodness, mercy, love and benevolence in His representatives.Ms 147, 1898, par. 18

This compassionate work must be done with charity that suffers long, is kind, envies not and seeks not her own, for even giving all goods to feed the poor profits nothing without such love.RH May 14, 1901 It is to be done from love for souls and esteem for Christ's purchase, valuing humanity from God's standpoint as bought by His blood, honoring God rather than living selfish extravagant lives using every dollar to make a place for self in this world.Ms 11b, 1894, par. 12–13+2 The Son of God died to redeem the race and to give the freedom and liberty that come through Him alone, and Christ as the Father's representative exemplifies this work in His way by human agents cooperating with God.Ms 11b, 1894, par. 12–13+2

The verse calls for lifting the oppressed and strengthening the weak through useful service moved by God's Spirit, a duty belonging to people of every race.2MR 83.3–84.3+1 Students and workers are to use training and opportunities to bless those around them, learning useful skills such as planting and building to become self-supporting and able to labor for the despised and rejected.2MR 83.3–84.3+2 This includes caring for the sick and training students to use simple natural remedies under Christ's direction, and restaurant and sanitarium work serving physical needs while warning that such work must not keep workers from giving the gospel, the bread of life, to the spiritually hungry.Lt 305, 1905, par. 1–3+1 So done while relying on Christ and studying Scripture, missionary service ministers to souls, enlarges understanding of the Word and kindles divine love.Ms 14a, 1897, par. 9–10

Doing this work with zeal, piety and wise missionary intelligence opens a wide and extensive vineyard blessing those most in need, blesses others, strengthens spiritual life and overcomes the selfishness that bound souls, so faith and example shine to the world in clear bright rays.Ms 14a, 1897, par. 20+1 A church's piety, spiritual knowledge and growth are proportionate to what is brought in and carried out in this work, increasing moral resources so it no longer remains almost stationary, with blessing and power attending labor.Lt 83, 1897, par. 25 It gives light in Christian homes to lead the ignorant to knowledge, reshapes character to God's image under the Holy Spirit, and angels cooperate with human agents relieving distress.HL 276.2+1

Carrying out its principles is part of doing duty and following the Lord's will with calm unwavering trust in Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, taking up duties close at hand against the wrong course and faults condemned in ancient Israel.Ms 90, 1900, par. 17+2 Its call to practical mercy — sharing food, welcoming the poor and homeless, clothing the naked, caring for kin, removing oppression and relieving the afflicted — belongs with obedience to God's commandments, loving the law, keeping worship of God alone before the perishing, serving as missionaries especially in cities, and following Christ.Ms 90, 1900, par. 17+1 Obedience brings the promised blessing of light, healing, righteousness, protection and God's answer, acts of mercy, kindness and justice counted by God with fitting reward.Ms 64, 1910, par. 5–7+1 Here the work is also linked with preparing for the day of the Lord and the courts of God by caring, sharing, and giving means so workers can take truth to the unreached and establish places of worship.RH Dec 17, 1901+1