“All Things Must Be Done in Order”

W. Cleon Skousen

Notice that King Benjamin says giving assistance to others should be done in wisdom and in order. Benjamin Franklin pointed out that some charity or compassion can be counter productive. For example.

Compassion which gives a drunk the means to increase his drunkenness is counter-productive.1

Compassion which breeds debilitating dependency and weakness is counter-productive.2

Compassion which blunts the desire or the necessity to work for a living is counter-productive.3

Compassion which smothers the instinct to strive and excel is counter-productive.4

When it comes to wisdom and good order in helping others, Benjamin Franklin had this to say.

“To relieve the misfortunes of our fellow creatures is concurring with the Deity; it is godlike, but, if we provide encouragement for laziness, and supports for folly, may we not be found fighting against the order of God and Nature, which perhaps has appointed want and misery as the proper punishment for, and cautions against, as well as necessary consequences of idleness and extravagance? Whenever we attempt to amend the scheme of providence, and to interfere with the government of the world. we had need to be very circumspect, lest we do more harm then good.”5

King Benjamin had some appropriate advice for people who are always borrowing from their neighbors:

“And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you borroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin; and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also.”

Treasures from the Book of Mormon

References