DO YOU KNOW: That many countries—notably the U.S.A.—are making noble, large-scale efforts for the betterment of conditions for those in need—financially, socially, educationally and physically?
● That poverty, as well as disease, pain, sorrow, suffering, despondency, ignorance, superstition, insanity, oppression, and moral and religious depravity, exists because "by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12, 19)?
DO YOU KNOW: That despite human selfishness, much money is spent to aid suffering mankind?
● That two dispositions are working among men—the one destructive, demoralizing, degrading, devilish; the other constructive, ennobling, uplifting, godlike?
● That despite mankind's depravity in sin, they still have vestiges of God's holy Spirit or disposition left in them, such as pity, compassion and love for fellow men, as is shown by their many humanitarian efforts?
● That anti-poverty efforts, anti-child-labor and civil-rights laws, public libraries, free educational facilities, pure-food laws, sanitation regulations, medical-care and social-security provisions, social uplift, welfare relief, old-age pensions, etc., are all noble efforts, intended for man's betterment?
● That under mankind's present selfish, fallen condition all these and many other blessings are not producing all the good results hoped for—that with the present great increase of travel and knowledge (Dan. 12:4) and marvelous modern discoveries and inventions (including automation), freeing man from much hard labor and drudgery, people in general are more restless and discontented than ever?
● That what a poor blind or legless person really wants is not money but good natural eyes or legs, and what a poor family bereaved of a loved one really wants is not money but their loved one back?
● That one can lay up much earthly treasure for himself, and still be poor and miserable—"not rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-21; Rev. 3:14-18)?
● That poverty thus includes more than lack of money, clothing, shelter, good health, education and social benefits—that the whole human race is poverty-stricken, lacking in the perfect physical, mental, artistic, moral and religious faculties and qualities of God's image created in Adam, but in his race largely obliterated by sin, error and the dying process?
DO YOU KNOW: That God's great blessing, which truly "maketh rich" and "addeth no sorrow," comes to man only through repentance, and faith in Christ, who "was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich"; and that after consecration to God one (even if poor in earthly things) becomes more "rich toward God," "in faith" and "in good works" (Prov. 10:22; Rom. 10:12; 2 Cor. 8:9; Luke 12:21; James 2:5; 1 Tim. 6:18)?
● That "the whole creation [Adam's race] groaneth and travaileth in pain [in bondage to sin and death]," that they were "made subject to vanity [frailty], not willingly [they inherited it from Adam], but by reason of him [Jehovah] who hath subjected the same in hope [of a coming Deliverer]," and that in the incoming Millennial Age, in God's Kingdom on earth, they all "shall be delivered [by Christ] from the bondage of corruption [the Adamic death sentence and its effects, including poverty] into the glorious liberty of the children of God," and everlasting life, if they are obedient to Christ (Rom. 8:19-22; Acts 3:23)?
● That "death [the Adamic dying process] and hell [hades—oblivion, the unconscious sleep in death]" will "deliver up the dead," to be judged during Christ's Thousand-year Reign, the world's judgment Day (Rev. 5:9, 10; 20:4, 6, 12, 13; Hos. 13:14; Psa. 96:1-13; 98:1-9; Isa. 26:9; Acts 17:31; 2 Pet. 3:7, 8)?
● That Jesus said, "Ye have the poor always with you" (Matt. 26:11); so the anti-poverty efforts in the Gospel Age (which is now ending), however good, cannot relieve mankind's earthly poverty, except partially, temporarily and in only a few ways?
● That in the incoming Millennial Age—God's time for fighting and forever destroying poverty—He through Christ will "raise up the poor" and "wipe away all tears"; and "the poor among men" will rejoice in Him and the riches of His grace (Psa. 113:7; Rev. 21:4, 5; Isa. 29:19; Eph. 1:7; 2:4, 7)?
DO YOU KNOW: That in Christ's Millennial Reign, "the times of restitution of all things," "he shall judge the poor" "with righteousness" and "deliver the needy … the poor also and him that hath no helper"; that as Abraham's Seed He will bless "all the families of the earth," enlighten "every man" and "draw all men" unto Him (Acts 3:19-21; Psa. 22:27-31; 72:2, 4, 12, 13; 86:9; Gen. 12:3; 22:18; Gal. 3:8, 16, 29; John 1:9; 12:32)?
● That in "the world to come" there will be "new heavens [new religious ruling powers—Christ's Kingdom] and a new earth [human society organized on a new basis], wherein dwelleth righteousness [justice and love, not injustice and hatred]" (Heb. 2:5; 2 Pet. 3:13; Isa. 65:17-25; 66:22; Rev. 21:1)?
● That at the end of Christ's Thousand-year Reign the curse of Adamic sin and death (including poverty) will be no more—"they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree"; "all the earth shall be filled" with the glory and knowledge of God; and "all the wicked will he destroy" (Rev. 22:3; Mic. 4:1-4; Num. 14:21; Isa. 11:9; 35:1-10; Jer. 31:34; Psa. 145:20; Rev. 20:7-9, 15; 21:8)?
● That "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom … and every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth" will then join in the great Hallelujah Chorus, saying, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:12, 13)?
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