What could be better before God than thinking of the poor?
For the poor are beloved by our heavenly Father. When His
Holiness Christ came upon the earth those who believed in
him and followed him were the poor and lowly, showing the poor
were near to God. When a rich man believes and follows the Manifestation
of God it is a proof that his wealth is not an obstacle and does
not prevent him from attaining the pathway of salvation. After he has
been tested and tried it will be seen whether his possessions are a
hindrance in his religious life. But the poor are especially beloved of
God. Their lives are full of difficulties, their trials continual, their
hopes are in God alone. Therefore you must assist the poor as much
as possible, even by sacrifice of yourself. No deed of man is greater
before God than helping the poor. Spiritual conditions are not dependent
upon the possession of worldly treasures or the absence of
them. When physically destitute, spiritual thoughts are more likely.
Poverty is stimulus toward God. Each one of you must have great
consideration for the poor and render them assistance. Organize in an
effort to help them and prevent increase of poverty. The greatest
means for prevention is that whereby the laws of the community will
be so framed and enacted that it will not be possible for a few to be
millionaires and many destitute. One of
Lycurgus, king of Sparta, who lived long before the day of Christ, conceived the idea of absolute equality in government. He proclaimed laws by which all the people of Sparta were classified into certain divisions. Each division had its separate rights and function. First, farmers and tillers of the soil. Second, artisans and merchants. Third, leaders or grandees. Under the laws of Lycurgus the latter were not required to engage in any labor or vocation but it was incumbent upon them to defend the country in case of war and invasion. Then he divided Sparta into nine thousand equal parts or provinces, appointing nine thousand leaders or grandees to protect them. In this way the farmers of each province were assured of protection but each farmer was compelled to pay a tax to support the grandee of that province. The farmers and merchants were not obliged to defend the country. In lieu of labor the grandees received the taxes. Lycurgus in order to establish this forever as a law, brought nine thousand grandees together, told them he was going upon a long journey and wished this form of government to remain effective until his return. They swore an oath to protect and preserve his law. He then left his kingdom, went into voluntary exile and never came back. No man ever made such a sacrifice to insure equality among his fellowmen. A few years passed and the whole system of government he had founded collapsed, although established upon such a just and wise basis.
Difference of capacity in human individuals is fundamental. It is
impossible for all to be alike, all to be equal, all to be wise.