Rich Toward God (No.2)

Charles Spurgeon is commonly heralded as one of the greatest teaching elders in the past few hundred years.  His many years of sheparding were marked not only by his godly teaching, but also by his many labors on behalf of the poor and needy as well.

Some examples are in 1861 he help erect an almshouse for the elderly.  In 1864 he aided in establishing a school for needy children in London.  In 1886 he founded the Stockwell Orphanages. And in 1867 he help build a hospital.

When asked why he had supported and helped so much in these activities on behalf of the poor, Spurgeon said: 

"God's intent in endowing any person with more substance than he needs is that he may have the pleasurable office, or rather the delightful privilege, of relieving want and woe. Alas, how many there are who consider that store which God has put into their hands on purpose for the poor and needy, to be only so much provision for their excessive luxury, a luxury which pampers them but yields them neither benefit nor pleasure.  Others dream that wealth is given them that they may keep it under lock and key, cankering and corroding, breeding covetousness and care.  Who dares roll a stone over the well's mouth when thirst is raging all around?  Who dares keep the bread from the women and children who are ready to gnaw their own arms for hunger?  Above all, who dares allow the sufferer to writhe in agony uncared for, and the sick to pine into their graves unnursed? This is no small sin: it is a crime to be answered for, to the Judge, when He shall come to judge the quick and the dead."

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"God's intent in endowing any person with more substance than he needs is that he may have the pleasurable office, or rather the delightful privilege, of relieving want and woe..."

"God's intent in endowing any person with more substance than he needs is that he may have the pleasurable office, or rather the delightful privilege, of relieving want and woe..."

"God's intent in endowing any person with more substance than he needs is that he may have the pleasurable office, or rather the delightful privilege, of relieving want and woe..."

PRECISELY.