was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked, and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me.” Christians, of course, have not done that directly to Jesus, and so he went on to say: “To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:35, 36, 40) This treatment of Christ’s spiritual brothers sets a principle that is a worthy guide for the treatment of fellow Christians.

Loving aid and concern shown to needy and sick persons within the Christian congregation strengthen the bond of Christian fellowship. Kindness shown to persons outside the Christian congregation serves as a recommendation for the truth to which Jehovah’s people bear witness. Following the apostle John’s counsel, then, “let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.”—1 John 3:18; 2 Cor. 6:4-6.

“If I used to hold back the lowly ones from their delight, and the eyes of the widow I would cause to fail, and I used to eat my morsel by myself, while the fatherless boy did not eat from it . . . if I used to see anyone perishing from having no garment, or that the poor one had no covering; . . . if I waved my hand to and fro against the fatherless boy, when I would see need of my assistance in the gate, let my own shoulder blade fall from its shoulder.”—Job 31:16-22.

Questions From Readers

● Is it proper for a Christian to avail himself of government provisions of welfare or of relief supplies sent to disaster areas?—P. A., El Salvador.

Yes; the government makes these provisions with the expectation that they will be used by those eligible for them.

Christians pay taxes as required by worldly governments. (Rom. 13:1, 6, 7) Hence, when the need arises, the Christian who legally qualifies for government aid may properly accept benefits that are made available through such tax-supported relief arrangements, if that is his desire.

There are, however, unprincipled individuals who are not true Christians and who have, in many instances, obtained such aid fraudulently. Some have concealed facts regarding their true economic status. Others have refused to work, though capable of doing so. In certain cases, through devious means, families have lived on government aid for years, though not actually eligible for it. The true Christian cannot do these things. He must be honest, truthful and upright. He should have a clear conscience before God and men.—Prov. 3:32; Acts 24:16.

Christians fittingly bear in mind the principle enunciated by the apostle Paul at 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.” They know, too, that “if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Tim. 5:8) Nor do they forget that “the getting of treasures by a false tongue is an exhalation driven away, in the case of those seeking death.” (Prov. 21:6) Obviously, then, responsible, able-bodied Christians will work to obtain the necessities of life when that is possible and will not illegally and fraudulently seek government or other financial aid.

If it became known that a dedicated Christian unjustifiably and illegally obtained such assistance, he would not have “a fine testimony from people on the outside” of the Christian congregation, or from within, for that matter. He would be “greedy of dishonest gain.” Consequently,