Although the importance of caring for the poor is spoken of often in the Book of Mormon (i.e. 2 Nephi 28:13; Alma 1:27; 4:13; 5:55), King Benjamin’s instructions and Jacob 2:13–21 are the only scriptural guidelines given on how to care for them. Since all people are the children of God, all our neighbors are His children. The instructions given concerning our neighbors with whom we have association are applicable to all. However, what the Prophet Joseph Smith said about keeping the commandments of God is applicable to what King Benjamin says here: “That which is wrong under one circumstance may be, and often is, right under another” ( TPJS, 256). The king addresses two different groups, the first being “those who are rich pertaining to the things of this world” (Mosiah 4:23).
King Benjamin speaks of those who stand in need, and the beggars. These are two different groups to whom we should give help. There are those who are in need, but are reticent to ask. King Benjamin focuses upon the beggar, those who make their needs known and ask for help. He speaks first of the attitude of the rich towards the beggar, and later of how to care for him.
There are three major points made by King Benjamin. The rich have no right to judge whether the beggars needs are justified (vv. 17, 22). The apostle James’ remarks regarding faith and works are applicable here: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?” (James 2:15–16). James teaches that after his physical needs are cared for, then he is better prepared to have his spiritual needs helped (see Mosiah 4:26). Those who judge have need to repent for they have no interest in the kingdom of God (v. 18; see also Jacob 2:17–19 discussed in chapter one of this work). The kingdom of God is built by helping others attain the blessings of the Lord.
All of us are beggars, for we depend upon God for our physical as well as our spiritual needs, therefore we ought to help one another (Mosiah 4:19–21). King Benjamin is repeating what he said about eternal indebtedness in his first speech (see Mosiah 2:19–24, 34).