Topical Bible: Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Relieve Them

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The Bible consistently emphasizes the responsibility of believers to care for and relieve the afflicted. This duty is rooted in the character of God, who is described as compassionate and merciful, and it is a reflection of His love and justice. Scripture provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of this duty.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the care of the afflicted. In Deuteronomy 15:11, God commands the Israelites, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." This directive underscores the perpetual need for generosity and support for those in distress.

The book of Proverbs also speaks to this duty, offering wisdom on the blessings of aiding the afflicted. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse highlights the spiritual significance and divine reward associated with helping those in need.

Prophetic Calls to Justice

The prophets frequently called the people of Israel to uphold justice and mercy, particularly toward the afflicted. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." This call to action reflects God's heart for justice and His desire for His people to be agents of His compassion.

Similarly, Micah 6:8 encapsulates the essence of righteous living: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse emphasizes that mercy and justice are integral to a life that pleases God.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ exemplifying and teaching the importance of caring for the afflicted. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus identifies Himself with the needy, saying, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you looked after Me; I was in prison and you visited Me." This passage underscores the profound truth that serving the afflicted is akin to serving Christ Himself.

The apostle Paul also instructs believers to be mindful of the needs of others. In Galatians 6:2, he writes, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This directive highlights the communal responsibility of believers to support and relieve one another in times of distress.

Practical Expressions of Care

The early church provides a model for practical expressions of care for the afflicted. Acts 4:34-35 describes how the believers shared their possessions to ensure that "there was no needy one among them." This communal sharing reflects the early church's commitment to living out the teachings of Christ in tangible ways.

James 1:27 further emphasizes the importance of caring for the afflicted as a mark of true religion: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This verse highlights the dual focus of personal holiness and active compassion.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to relieve the afflicted is clear and compelling. It is a reflection of God's character and a demonstration of His love through His people. Believers are called to be agents of mercy and justice, actively seeking to alleviate the suffering of those in need.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 31:19,20
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 58:10
And if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon day:
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Philippians 4:14
Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction.
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1 Timothy 5:10
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On visiting the Sick
... not excuse you: His going would not fulfil your duty. ... of spirit, in sympathy with
the afflicted, which you ... you may press upon him "repentance toward God, and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 98 on visiting the.htm

Self-Examination
... it makes us, we still feel it is our duty to go ... emptiness of his larder, but are
turned toward the source ... they fasted, and He did not see; afflicted their souls ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 10 self-examination.htm

"Lazarus, Come Forth"
... gives him a clear perception of his duty, and leads ... to Lazarus, Christ had a purpose
of mercy toward those who ... and of the fact that the afflicted friends could ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 58 lazarus come forth.htm

Caring for My Aged Mother
... then to care for her, I took that duty upon myself. ... of the aged brothers in the home
was greatly afflicted. ... to me that I had done nothing toward the brother's ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xxii caring for my.htm

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
... judge to be manifestations of divine favor toward them, or complacency ... on in the
way of your duty." Continue the ... days in which you have been afflicted." (Psa.90 ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxiv the case of.htm

On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield
... enforced upon his audience every moral duty; particularly industry ... activity, his
tender-heartedness to the afflicted, and charitableness toward the poor. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 53 on the death.htm

Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
... Ignorant of the enmity toward Jesus, he told the Pharisees who ... that the work of
relieving the afflicted was in ... fully declaring His mission, and the duty of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 21 bethesda and the.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1808, to the ...
... To relieve them from this pressure, the General Conference of ... infrequently both assumed
a belligerent attitude toward the people ... was one part of the duty of a ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... thou pressed on, through crowds of opposition, "toward the mark ... friends, enemies,
all of them call for duty from us ... Had we rather be still afflicted, than be up ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

Acts XXVIII
... that the father of Publius lay afflicted with fever ... had acted somewhat on this principle
toward the preachers of ... upon the latter the obvious duty of liberating ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxviii.htm