Luke 4:16-19; Isa. 62:1, 2; Deut. 15:11; Matt. 19:16-22; Luke 19:1-10; Job 29:12-16.

 “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:34, NKJV).

 The Bible speaks often of the strangers (sometimes called aliens), the fatherless, and the widows. This group may be the ones whom Jesus referred to as “the least of these My brethren” (Matt. 25:40, NKJV).

 How can we identify these people today? The strangers of Bible times were individuals who had to leave their homeland, perhaps because of war or famine. The equivalent in our day could be the millions of refugees who have become destitute because of circumstances that they did not choose to be in.

 The fatherless are children who have lost fathers by war, accident, or sickness. This group could also include those whose fathers are in prison or are otherwise absent. What a broad field of service is exposed here.

 The widows are those who have lost their spouses for the same reason as the fatherless. Many are the head of a single-parent family and could use the help that the church can provide.

 As we will see this week, because we are managers of God’s business, helping the poor is not just an option. It is following the example of Jesus and obeying His commands.

 Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 18.