5148. 'The work of the baker' means according to every useful purpose served by that power of the senses. This is clear from the meaning of 'the work' as according to every useful purpose, dealt with below; and from the meaning of 'the baker' as the sensory power subject to the will part, dealt with in 5078, 5082. The reason 'the work' means a useful purpose is that this expression is used in reference to the will part, that is, to the sensory part subject to the will part. Whatever is effected by means of this and may be called 'the work' must be a useful purpose. No work of charity is anything else, for the works of charity are works performed by the will, and these are the realization of useful purposes.

6703. EXODUS CHAPTER 2.

TEACHINGS ABOUT CHARITY

Having decided to present teachings about charity in sections preceding the chapters of the Book of Exodus, one must begin by saying what is meant by 'the neighbour' since it is the neighbour towards whom charity should be exercised. For unless people have a right understanding of who 'the neighbour is, charity will be exercised uniformly and indiscriminately, equally towards the evil as towards the good, as a result of which charity ceases to be charity. For with the benefits conferred on them the wicked harm the neighbour whereas the good benefit him.