A Plea for the Poor

John Woolman

1763

A prophetic essay on wealth, simplicity, and our responsibilities to the poor—originally titled "A Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich."

The Love of Ease and Gain

"Wealth desired for its own sake obstructs the increase of virtue"

And large possessions in the hands of selfish men have a bad tendency, for by their means too small a number of people are employed in things useful; and therefore some of them are necessitated to labour too hard, while others would want business to earn their bread, were not employments invented which, having no real use, serve only to please the vain mind.

The Creator of the earth is the owner of it. He gave us being thereon, and our nature requires nourishment from the produce of it. He is kind and merciful to His creatures.

On Simplicity

As He is the perfection of power, of wisdom, and of goodness, so I believe He hath provided that so much labour shall be necessary for men's support in this world, as would, being rightly divided, be a suitable employment of their time.

"If we faithfully serve Him, our outward supply will be sufficient"

And may we not suppose that one reason why the Spirit moved in the hearts of ancient Friends to be diligent in their callings, and to avoid superfluity in meat, drink, and apparel, was that all might have a comfortable living, and that the fruits of their labours might be applied to useful purposes?

The Burden on the Poor

When we look toward the end of life, and think on the division of our substance among our successors, if we know that it was collected in the fear of the Lord, in honesty, and in equity, our minds may be easy.

"Were all superfluities and the desire of outward greatness laid aside, and the right use of things universally attended to, such a number of people might be employed in things useful, as that moderate labour with the blessing of Heaven would answer all good purposes"

And the people who have need of more than their share of labour to supply the wants of the rich, may have time for improvement of the mind, and for attending upon that which tends to the peace and harmony of society.

The Duty of the Wealthy

To labour for a perfect redemption from this spirit of oppression is the great business of the whole family of Christ Jesus in this world.

"How then can we say we walk according to the voice of the Good Shepherd, while we live in that which the world calls grandeur?"

May we look upon our treasures, and the furniture of our houses, and the garments in which we array ourselves, and try whether the seeds of war have any nourishment in these our possessions.

Holding treasures in the self-pleasing spirit is a strong plant, the fruit whereof ripens fast.

True Stewardship

A person who holds land as an inheritance, I believe, has a right to dispose of it according to the dictates of a mind that is teachable.

"The produce of the earth is a gift from our gracious Creator to the inhabitants, and to impoverish the earth to support outward greatness appears to be an injury to the succeeding age"

Were a man to take the produce of the sun, the refreshment of the showers, and the benefit of the air—all freely given of God—and hoard these blessings to himself, we should consider it unjust.

So likewise to accumulate the produce of the earth beyond what our own use requires, and to keep it from those who are in want, appears inconsistent with the design of Providence.

A Call to Action

To turn all we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives. Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also.

"When we feel true charity alive in us, we see the needs of others as our own"

To have our trust settled in the Lord, and walk in His fear, and to seek no gain but that which is consistent with universal righteousness—here is a stable foundation.

The condition of many who dwell in cities hath often affected me with a brotherly sympathy, when I have observed their hurry and toil and want of the pure enjoyment of life.

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