Ancient context: Here the emphasis shifts from children to adults. The “children” are to be taught. The “men” must also act for the good of the community. Just as the “children” require food and clothing, so do those “men” among us require our assistance. Although the specific terms food and clothing are not mentioned, it is certain that food would be a major part of our substance that should be imparted to the needy.
Once again, we must remember that Benjamin is giving laws for communal unity. Why does he emphasize the aid to the needy? It is precisely because the pride of social divisions leads to divisions and social contentions. Just as the increasing wealth of the Nephites led them to create disparities among themselves, so too does withholding substance create disparities. Not only is the needy remaining in need, but those who have substance are hoarding it. Benjamin is giving rules for the way in which the community will heal past wounds. We must suppose that these declarations are necessary because they were real experiences among the people prior to this time.
Modern context: How should this verse be interpreted in a modern context? All of the social rules that governed Benjamin’s society have changed dramatically. Benjamin’s people were primarily agricultural and rural. His people had no monetary economy, but rather one built on exchange. Thus for Benjamin, one who had no food was one who had somehow become displaced from his land, and therefore his ability to grow his own food. Whether through war or illness, the removal of a person from his land created a condition of need, not poverty in the sense that we might understand it.
In a modern society, need is now much more complex, and related to a monetary economy. The beggars who put their petition to us may or not be in need of food. What we give is money and not food, and the money offering may or may not be used for the need of the body. Thus in the modern world, the complexities of society have changed to the point where the nature of our charity must also change. As will be evident in the next verse, the real problem is the pride of the giver, and we may give freely to fast offerings. The ability to give freely and generously gives us the ability to learn generosity and humility, and the needy will be taken care of.