Page 440 - Bible History

CHRIST THE FRIEND OF THE POOR AND THE SI 413
poses, but to help others who are not so fortunate. Rich men are stewards in the house of God, to Whom their wealth really belongs. It is their duty to share it with others by seeing that working men receive better wages, by helping to build schools and colleges, so that more people can receive an education, by pro­ viding hospitals and medical care for the sick, and by giving food and clothing and shelter to the poor, the widow and the orphan. All of these, then, become their friends, who will plead for them before the judg­ ment seat of God and win for them the divine love and mercy.
Our divine Savior was constantly reminding those who followed after Him that it was their duty to love their fellow man and to be charitable. "By this shall men know that you are My disciples," He said, "that you love one another." Again and again He warned the Pharisees that love of their neighbor and the relief of God's poor, and not the mere external observance of the letter of the law, would open for them the gates of Heaven. In order to reveal to all how important is charity in the eyes of God, He painted a picture of the Great Judgment that would take place at the end o the world.
He told them how the sun would be darkened and the moon wo d no longer give her li t; the stars would fall from heaven; there would be a great roaring of the sea and the waves All the tribes of the earth would mourn, and men would wither away with fear, waiting for the nal destruction of the world.
Then it was that they would see the Son of M
Howthe world wiU be jud