Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

some who give indiscriminately to everyone who solicits their aid. In this
they err. In trying to help the needy, we should be careful to give them the
right kind of help. There are those who when helped will continue to make
themselves special objects of need. They will be dependent as long as they
see anything on which to depend. By giving undue time and attention to
these, we may encourage idleness, helplessness, extravagance, and
intemperance.
When we give to the poor we should consider: "Am I encouraging
prodigality? Am I helping or injuring them?" No man who can earn his own
livelihood has a right to depend on others.
Men and women of God, persons of discernment and wisdom, should be
appointed to look after the poor and needy, the household of faith first. These
should report to the church and counsel as to what should be done.
God does not require our brethren to take charge of every poor family
that shall embrace this message. If they should do this, the ministers must
cease to enter new fields, for the funds would be exhausted. Many are poor
from their own lack of diligence and economy; they know not how to use
means aright. If they should be helped, it would hurt them. Some will always
be poor. If they should have the very best advantages, their cases would not
be helped. They have not good calculation and would use all the means they
could obtain, were it much or little.
When such embrace the message, they feel that they are entitled to
assistance from their more wealthy brethren; and if their expectations are not
met, they complain of the church and accuse them of not living out their
faith. Who must be the sufferers in this case? Must the cause of God be
sapped, and the treasury in different places exhausted, to take care of these
large families of poor? No. The parents must be the sufferers. They will not,
as a general thing, suffer any greater lack after they embrace the Sabbath
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