February 18

If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. — 2 Sam 10:11

Here we get a good lesson on the duty of helping each other.

If one army saw that the battle was too much for their brethren in another division, they were to hasten to their help. The duty is the same always. If I am strong and you are struggling in weakness, I must hasten to your help.

Loving our neighbor as ourself means helping him when he is in trouble. There is a Christian communism, which uses its abundance of whatever kind to supply the lack in others.

“If I should see
A brother languishing in sore distress,
And I should turn and leave him comfortless,
When I might be
A messenger of hope and happiness –
How could I ask to have what I denied,
In my own hour of bitterness supplied?”