Clerical World John 12:1-16 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.… This word extorted by the rapacity of Judas teaches us that poverty has its claims upon us which we must not neglect. From our definition of "the poor" we exclude the systematic idler and professional beggar. The claims of the real poor are based on — I. THE POSSESSIONS OF A COMMON NATURE. "The rich and the poor the Lord is the Maker," etc. A community of nature should — 1. Awaken interest. 2. Stimulate sympathy. II. THE RELATIONS OF HUMAN SOCIETY. St. Paul's imagery of the body and the members (1 Corinthians 12:14-22) will illustrate this. The poor have their place in the social economy, and cannot be safely neglected. III. THE RELATIONS OF CHRIST'S CHURCH. — 1. The Church is a body of which Christ is the Head. 2. The Church is indebted to the poor for some of the brightest testimonies to the power of Divine grace. It owes a debt in return. IV. THE SANCTIONS OF HOLY WRIT. (Deuteronomy 15:11; Leviticus 23:22; 1 Samuel 2:7; Job 29:11-13; Psalm 41:1; Psalm 48:10; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 20:2; Proverbs 21:31; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 58:7; Daniel 4:27; Matthew 19:21; Matthew 25:36; James 2:14-16). The Bible is thus the poor man's book. (Clerical World.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. |
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