A Plea for the Poor
William Jay. Galatians 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Good men do not always think alike. When they differ, it is commonly from ignorance and a want of mutual explanation; and therefore when their understandings are informed, as their hearts were right before, they are like so many drops of water on a table — when they touch they run into one. Besides, while differing in some things, they agree in others — and these by fro the most important: and after awhile are generally led to see and acknowledge this. Such the case here. A difference among the brethren in Jerusalem concerning the missions of Peter and Paul; but none about the duty of remembering the poor. On that all agree. I. WHO ARE TO BE REMEMBERED? The poor. Found in every age and land. 1. Distinguish between the vagrant poor and the resident poor. Vagrants are generally the least entitled to succour, being lazy, and not disposed to work when the opportunity is offered them. The resident poor have these claims; (1) they are neighbours; (2) their cases can be searched out, and impositions detected; (3) regarding them your bounty is known, and it ought to be known — not to extol you, but to honour your religion, recommend the gospel, and glorify God. 2. Distinguish between God's poor and the devil's poor. In helping the latter while they continue what they are, you are aiding the beer-house, the gin-shop, licentiousness, and every evil. We should try to save them from their suffering by saving them first from their sin. 3. Distinguish between the strong and healthy poor, and the sick and disabled. The latter deserve sympathy and help. II. WHY SHOULD YOU REMEMBER THE POOR? 1. In doing so, you keep the best company, and conform to the noblest examples. 2. You are bound by Divine authority. 3. The poor are your brethren. 4. You ire under great obligations to the poor. You are more dependent on them, than they on you. They cultivate your lands, manage your capital, prepare your food, furnish you with fuel; they man your ships, fill your armies, fight your battles, etc., etc. 5. In remembering them you will remember yourselves. By God's eternal law, doing good is the way to gain good; giving is the way to thrive (Psalm 41:1-3). III. HOW ARE WE TO REMEMBER THE POOR? 1. Compassion. 2. Readiness to relieve. All might do much by exercising self-denial, and influencing others. IV. WHEN SHOULD WE REMEMBER THE POOR? 1. When you die. 2. When you prosper. 3. When you are unthankful. It will remind you of how many blessings you daily receive, and so stir up your heart to praise. 4. When you are peevish, fretful, discontented, and miserable. Go, then, and see real misery; and consider how much more others have to suffer than you; and then do your best to relieve that suffering. In the act of giving consolation, you shall receive it. 5. When you fast. Let your own abstinence for your soul's health benefit the bodies of those whose life is a perpetual involuntary fast (Isaiah 58:6-8). 6. Every Lord's Day (1 Corinthians 16:2). 7. Now. Give liberally to the charity work in aid of which your alms are to-day solicited. If the Saviour were here now as a Man, how would He give? He could not give much. He would then give — what many hero (and the best givers too, perhaps) will give — coppers; not from want of inclination, but from want of ability. He was a poor Man, had not where to lay His head. But suppose He was possessed of the fortunes some of you possess, what would He give then? Think of it, and go and do likewise. (William Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. WEB: They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.