The Least of These

This post is in response to this week's Vox Apologia "The Least of These" over on Amy's Humble Musings Check it out if you get a chance it should spark some interesting thoughts.

Matt. 25:31-46; The Sheep and the Goats

This passage begins with all the nations gathered before the Son of Man in His glory(v.32). All the nations are there, that includes those in far off lands. It's easy to see the needs right in front of us and not go beyond what is in our scope. I believe Jesus understands our tendency to do so but probably longs for us to reach out beyond our carnal limitations, prejudices, and convenient stereotypes(e.g. "the poor are that way because they don't know Christ"). Statements like this give us an easy out to actually respond to the need.

He commands His followers throughout scripture to come to the aid of the "least of these". In the passage of Matt. 25, I find it interesting what the criteria are to separate the sheep and the goats. It was how they responded to "the least of these". Not how many souls they have won to Christ. I am not saying telling people about our Savior isn't important. In fact, I believe it does no good to just feed someone without explaining where this love comes from and the hope that is available to them. What I am saying is the scriptures are full of what our responsibility is to the poor and needy and I don't see it given as much emphasis in the church as say, evangelism. It's another program that you can get involved in if it is a program offered at all. But scripture shows us that it should be a part of who we are as followers of Christ, it is not optional or just the missionaries job.

Why is there not an emphasis on it? One reason I can think of is the cost. Not a monetary cost. A cost of time, convenience, preference. We are called to be actively involved in the least of these lives. Not just sending money, though that has its place, but to "look after the sick, invite the stranger in, visit the prisoner". This costs more than just money.

Some have interpreted Matt. 25:36-44 as a faith + works passage. I read some of the arguments and these have valid points but in my opinion that's not what this is about. Jesus made it clear that if we are his followers we are to respond to nakedness with clothes, imprisonment with visitation, hunger with food, thirst with drink. It doesn't matter if it's what gets us saved or not. In fact, if that is our motivation then we should question it or pray for a heart that goes beyond a motivation of conditional love(1Cor13:3). "I will do this for you because it will get me saved." This is not the kind of love that Jesus modeled for us. In the passage of Matt 25, the sheep didn't even realize that they did something special. They had to ask, "When did we see you hungry and feed you?" They were humble in their service. Their motivation obviously wasn't to make sure they were saved.


Are we willing to count the cost and do what we are commanded to do? Let's not just talk about it but take action. "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."(1John 3:17-18). This verse tells us how to tell if the love God is in someone. Take action in truth. I believe the founder of World Vision said the following: "For hope to be credible in the future, it needs to be tangible in the present." The world is literally dying to hear about and see a tangible love and hope to "the least of these".