Jesus Passes The Fourth

Brotherhood Test:

On Philanthropy

Test On Philanthropy

When other certain days had passed, the guide led Jesus to the Hall of Mirth, a hall most richly furnished, and replete with everything a carnal heart could wish. The choicest viands and the most delicious wines were on the boards; and maids, in gay attire, served all with grace and cheerfulness. And men and women, richly clad, were there; and they were wild with joy; they sipped from every cup of mirth.

And Jesus watched the happy throng in silence for a time, and then a man in garb of sage came up and said, “Most happy is the man who, like the bee, can gather sweets from every flower. The wise man is the one who seeks for pleasure, and can find it everywhere. At best man's span of life on earth is short, and then he dies and goes, he knows not where. Then let us eat, and drink, and dance, and sing, and get the joys of life, for death comes on apace. It is but foolishness to spend a life for other men. Behold, all die and lie together in the grave, where none can know and none can show forth gratitude.”

But Jesus answered not; upon the tinselled (diverse rich and wealthy) guests in all their rounds of mirth (merriment), He gazed in silent thought. And then among the guests, He saw a man whose clothes were coarse; who showed in face and hands the lines of toil and want. The giddy throng found pleasure in abusing him; they jostled him against the wall, and laughed at his discomfiture. And then a poor, frail woman came, who carried in her face and form the marks of sin and shame; and without mercy she was spit upon, and jeered, and driven from the hall.
And then a little child, with timid (shy) ways and hungry mien (appearance), came in and asked for just a morsel of their food. But she was driven out uncared for and unloved; and still the merry dance went on. And when the pleasure seekers urged that Jesus join them in their mirth, He said, “How could I seek for pleasure for myself while others are in want?

How can you think that while the children cry for bread, while those in haunts of sin call out for sympathy and love that I can fill myself to full with the good things of life?

“I tell you, nay; we all are kin, each one a part of the great human heart. I cannot see myself apart from that poor man that you so scorned, and crowded to the wall; Nor from the one in female garb who came up from the haunts (worries) of vice to ask for sympathy and love, who was by you so ruthlessly pushed back into her den of sin; Nor from that little child that you drove from your midst to suffer in the cold, bleak winds of night.
“I tell you, men, what you have done to these, my kindred, you have done to me.
You have insulted me in your own home; I cannot stay. I will go forth and find that child, that woman and that man, and give them help until my life's blood all has ebbed away.

“I call it pleasure when I help the helpless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and speak good words of cheer to those unloved, discouraged and depressed. And this that you call mirth is but a phantom of the night; but flashes of the fire of passion, painting pictures on the walls of time. And while the Logos spoke the white-robed priest came in and said to him, “The council waits for you.” Then Jesus stood again before the bar; again no word was said; the hierophant placed in his hands a scroll, on which was writ, PHILANTHROPY.
And Jesus was a victor over selfish self.

Lessons From The Fourth Examination

1. It shows the wrong mentality of many people – “Behold, all die and lie together in the grave, where none can know and none can show forth gratitude.” But, this mentality is foolishness, because it is deceptive and leads to hell fire.

2. Jesus made clear the reasons why the rich and wealthy people end up inside the hell fire. They are heartless and merciless unto their fellow human beings, who are poor, needy and less-privileged. Whoever that is rich, whoever that is poor, must have different ways of benefiting the children of God in the world.

3. All those why shy away from this call to selfless services are keeping themselves standing still. They shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven because they have no love.

4. The children of God must relate to the sinners with sympathy and love, so that the sinners shall know they are still very important to God, and therefore, repent.

5. The children of God must not support those in various good conditions of life, the strong and mighty, the very important personalities, the influential personalities, who are insulting the junior ones, or who are persecuting the other children of God.

6. Selfless services includes, help the helpless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and speak good words of cheer to those unloved, discouraged and depressed.

7. Rendering welfare services to the children of God is everybody’s duty. It shall be one of the primary concerns of the religious leaders and ministers of God. But do not spend your time, money and wealth, to please those people who reject God and disobey His commandments.