Luke 3:11
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
When the convicted multitude asked what they should do, John answered that anyone with two coats must give to the one who has none, and anyone with food must do the same. Those with more clothing or food than they need are to use what they have to relieve the need of the poor rather than for selfish purposes. Such unselfish works of love, mercy, justice and compassion are the fruit that proves genuine repentance, a changed heart, and fitness for Christ's kingdom, without which men are as chaff for the fire. The call did not require leaving one's ordinary duties, but a reformation of heart and life that bears worthy fruit through faithful, honest and kindly conduct in one's own place.
John's Answer to Seekers
The command to give spare clothing to one who has none and to share food in the same way was John's answer to the convicted multitude asking what they should do then. It belonged to his call to repentance, which reached people from every class and convicted its hearers of their sins. It was the message given for the people of his day, and present workers should study it to advantage. The question they asked serves as a model for sincere seekers of moral guidance.
John did not require people to abandon their former duties but called ordinary working people to faithful conduct in their ordinary place of life. He bade them do their appointed work with brotherly kindness, sharing extra clothing or food with those who lacked them. In this way truth is to shape everyday business and appear in honest, merciful, and compassionate actions that build others up.
The call belongs to a reformation of heart, mind, and soul that straightens crooked ways and brings forth fruits worthy of repentance. It expresses the change of life required of a people who had turned from God and were facing the consequences of disobedience. That practical fruit of generosity with basic necessities is how they were to become fruitful in the Lord's vineyard.
Repentance Proved by Generosity
Repentance must bear practical fruit in generosity with the basic necessities of life, for he who has two coats or extra clothing is to share with him who has none, and he who has food is to do the same. Possessions are to be used to relieve another's need, so that those who have more than they need share with those who lack clothing or food. This is John's answer to the convicted multitude asking what they should do then, belonging to his call to repentance and to the message given for the people of his day. It is part of the reformation of heart, mind, and soul that straightens crooked ways and produces fruits worthy of repentance, by which conversion becomes fruitful in the Lord's vineyard.
Those who have more clothing or food than they need must share with those who lack them, since justice and charity are essential marks of God's children. Wealth is to serve the needs of the poor and the cause of God rather than selfish purposes. Such unselfish works of love, mercy, and generosity are the fruit that shows genuine profession of faith and genuine repentance and faith. They show a changed character and heart and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work.
Ministering to the needy with kindness, honesty and fidelity, bringing offerings to God, shielding the defenseless, and showing virtue, compassion, justice, mercy and the love of God in daily life is the evidence of faith and repentance required of all who become subjects of Christ's kingdom. Such good works express the change of life required of a people who had turned from God and were facing the consequences of disobedience, and they help fit people to be subjects of Christ's kingdom and bear fruit fit for His kingdom. Without such a life they are like chaff given to the fire. The same repentance requires faithfulness in one's own calling, with publicans turning from injustice and soldiers turning from violence, as ordinary working people do their appointed work with brotherly kindness so that truth shapes everyday business through honest, merciful, and compassionate actions that build others up.