Our Duties towards the Poor
As a member of society, man has many duties to discharge. He has to take charge of his own family, he also owes certain duties to his friends and neighbours.
He has further obligations as a citizen of the state, and likewise has duties towards the poor.
Compassion Beyond Wealth
We should not be enormously rich to help the poor. We should help them according to our means.
We should feel that they suffer even from want of a morsel of food, for want of clothes and for want of lodging.
If we cannot help them with money, at least we can show them some sympathy.
It may be that the poverty of some people is the outcome of their own folly. They tried to live beyond their means, taking loans from banks and not being able to pay their debt.
However, some are born handicapped, deaf, lame, blind, etc. Some are reduced to poverty by unavoidable misfortunes. These unfortunate people certainly need help from society.
Life Has Ups and Downs
Life has ups and downs. No one knows what is in store for him or her.
We can become poor any day and may have to appeal to the rich for food and clothes.
Just think of calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes which may cause you to become poor. What will be our fate then if the rich turn a deaf ear to our cry for help?
Even God will have no mercy on us if we fail to show mercy to others in distress.
The Role of Society
In our country, the government through the welfare state is helping greatly the needy.
We should also not forget the numerous NGOs which are doing a great job in helping the poor.
Even many individuals are likely to help, and that is quite a great noble deed.