The humanitarian’s chief concern is with humanity in the abstract, the
supposed plight of faraway peoples of whom the humanitarian likely has
little or no direct knowledge. ... In a sense, the religion of humanity sees everything from a remote
distance. How blessed are we that—at least according to the Christian
gospel—God doesn’t regard us with the same aloof, theoretical concern.
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
-- Matthew 26:11
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
-- Mark 14:7
For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
-- John 12:8
