When the Lord’s poor are neglected and forgotten or greeted with cold looks and cruel words, let the guilty one bear in mind that he is neglecting Christ in the person of His saints. Our Saviour identifies His interest with that of suffering humanity. As the heart of the parent yearns with pitying tenderness over the suffering one of her little flock, so the heart of our Redeemer sympathizes with the poorest and lowliest of His earthly children. He has placed them among us to awaken in our hearts that love which He feels toward the suffering and oppressed, and He will let His judgments fall upon anyone who wrongs, slights, or abuses them. {4T 620.2}

Når Herrens fattige forsømmes og glemmes eller hilses med en kold skulder og forfærdelige ord, lader den skyldige tænke på, at han forsømmer Kristus i skikkelse af hans hellige. Vor Frelser identificerede sine interesser, med den lidende menneskeheds. ligesom forældrenes hjerter længes i ynkende ømhed over den lidende i sin lille hjord, ligeledes føler vor Forløsers hjerte med de fattigste og laveste af hans jordiske børn. Han har sat dem blandt os, for at den kærlighed skal vækkes i vore hjerter, som han nærer imod lidende og undertrykte og han vil lade sine domme falder over enhver som foruretter, ringeagter eller skælder dem ud.