Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
At the final judgment when all are gathered and divided into only two classes, those commended for caring for Him when sick and in prison ask in surprise when they ever saw Him in that condition and came to Him. His answer treats what was done to even the least of His needy brethren as done to Himself, and what was withheld from them as withheld from Him. They had served without knowing they were serving Christ, their unselfish deeds flowing unconsciously from His love and Spirit dwelling in them. Judgment therefore turns not on profession but on practice, with genuine faith proved by loving action and even small everyday deeds of mercy accepted and rewarded. Neglect of the sick and imprisoned through self-absorption and selfish use of entrusted means is neglect of Christ Himself and brings condemnation into everlasting punishment, while faithful ministry enters into life eternal.
Judgment Setting and Question
The question belongs to the final judgment when the Son of man comes in glory with all the holy angels, sits on the throne of glory, and all nations are gathered before Him and separated as sheep from goats, the sheep on the right and the goats on the left. It is asked in the last day at the final separation and final reckoning when God divides all into only two parties, two classes, the just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous, right and left. It is the reply of the righteous on the right hand after they are commended, showing they served without knowing they were serving Christ Himself.
The King invites those on the right to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world because they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, took in the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and came to those in prison, which may include imprisonment for debt. To those on the right He has said, Come ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom, because they fed, welcomed, clothed, and visited Him, and hearing His commendation for this work is to be desired. The Majesty of Heaven thus exalts the sanctified ones to His throne for their works of self-denial and mercy, compassion and righteousness, as the fruit of holiness of heart.
After being commended for visiting Him when sick and in prison, the righteous answer by asking when they ever saw Him sick or in prison and came to Him. Those who cared for His suffering followers by visiting the sick and coming to those in prison were caring for Christ Himself, yet did not realize they were serving Him, and their care was evidence they were His disciples. They are surprised and do not think they have done anything worthy of commendation, asking when they saw Him in that condition and came to Him.
The King answers that inasmuch as it was done to one of the least of His brethren it was done to Him, while failure to minister to the least was failure to minister to Him. Their service to people in need is counted as service to Christ, for doing good to the least of His brethren is doing it to Him. On that ground the righteous enter life eternal and inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, while those who neglected the sick and imprisoned go into everlasting punishment. Those on the left who did not do these things are told to depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, and refusing help to His saints is neglect of Christ leading to that punishment, while neglect of the hungry and naked and failure to act justly and mercifully brings loss and regret at the judgment though that regret is not repentance.
The discourse belongs to what Jesus gave shortly before entering Gethsemane, after a day of work and speaking, while weary, as Pharisees pressed Him with questions and He delivered predictions and warnings. The division by these words between sheep and goats decides forever the destiny of the two classes and reveals the character God accepts, which all must study for the education of the soul. When the righteous are saved in the kingdom of God and the worldly guilty find themselves outside the gates of the city, shame and an awakening that comes too late follow because choice has already decided destiny after mercy was scorned, the Redeemer dishonored, and the love of God refused.
Christ Identified with Sufferers
Christ identifies Himself and His interest with suffering humanity, so that deeds of love, charity, pity and benevolence done to those in need are treated, accepted and registered in heaven as done to Him, while neglect, disrespect and failure to help them are neglect of Him. Those welcomed ask when they ever saw Him sick or in prison and came to Him, and the answer is that whatever was done for one of the least of His brethren was done for Himself, which is the commendation to be desired. Those who cared for His suffering followers in this way were caring for Christ Himself without realizing they were serving Him, and their care was evidence they were His disciples.
Their sickness and imprisonment are treated as His own, so that visiting them and coming to them with help, comfort and Christlike love is visiting and coming to Christ Himself. He is present in the poor and suffering who plead for relief, and serving them is receiving the living Christ, while turning away repeats the failure to recognize Him when He is acknowledged only as a figure of history. Their poverty and suffering give occasion to know and show mercy and love, calling out sympathy, love and practical help rather than indifference or merely passing by, through deliberate and continuing efforts to relieve them as part of His own work and as gratitude to God. The afflicted have a right to expect sympathy and help, and every neglect is written in the books of heaven as shown to Christ, offending God daily by hardness of heart.
The needy are His representatives on earth, His saints, brethren, children and least, and pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted as if shown directly to Him. Oppression of another is treated as an act against Christ for which the oppressor must answer to God, expressing the duty to respect and care for fellow beings whom God values by creation and redemption. Ungenerous or unjust treatment of even a poor stranger, and refusal of shelter to a needy godly woman because she is old, might be a burden, or is not well known, exposes selfish profession, for welcoming her would be welcoming Jesus in her person. Such a record decides standing before the Judge of all the earth and whether the invitation to inherit the kingdom is spoken.
Those in need include the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned, which may include imprisonment for debt, together with the widow, the fatherless, the orphan, the outcast, the heart-sick, the discouraged, the ignorant, the dying, and brethren found in close and trying places, both colored and white. Every action to relieve the necessities of the afflicted is kept on record, and to see a brother in a hard place and take advantage of the situation can never be approved, while working to relieve needy brethren brings approval. Doors of service to them are open everywhere on every hand, so none need wait until called to some distant field before beginning this self-sacrificing work, which arouses zeal and broadens and strengthens character. Withholding entrusted money and talents from relieving their suffering robs Him of His property and glory, and no position or riches gained by clever schemes or sharp dealing gains acceptance.
He Himself was hungry and thirsty while others feasted, a stranger without home while they were at ease, destitute while they crowded wardrobes, sick and languishing in prison while they pursued pleasure, and He was near them all their days in the person of the afflicted. He shares in their affliction and longs for Christians to show His character through conduct toward one another, in human brotherhood and unity rather than dissension, bickering or selfishness. Failure to seek Him in the sick and imprisoned is refusal of fellowship with Him, answered by rejection.
Unconscious Righteous Service
The question itself shows that the righteous had cared for the sick and come to those in prison without realizing they were serving Christ himself, for they had not recognized Him in those they helped. When commended for visiting Him in sickness and imprisonment, they answer with surprise and perplexed surprise, asking when they ever saw Him in that condition and came to Him. That surprise then turns to surprised joy and gladness as they look up at His words of approval.
Their unawareness reveals unconscious unselfish service, with Christ interwoven into character and brought into everyday life by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. That service was given with attention to the least and not to the greatest, yet with no consciousness of anything done. In contrast stand those on the left, also unconscious of their neglect, because they had educated and trained themselves in the school of self-indulgence, and by that neglect lost heaven and the eternity of bliss they might have had by devoting their powers to God.
They served willingly because Christ's love was in them, without realizing that serving the needy was serving Christ, and the way people treat His people and humanity brings reward or condemnation. Their kindness was moved by the Spirit of Christ, and in serving even the least of His brethren they served Him. Through the divine Spirit they were a blessing to those about them, having cherished His principles, and their deeds express Christlike character and true godliness.
They may have known little of theology, but their care for people suffering for His name was evidence that they were His disciples. They are marked as children of God who will dwell with Christ in His kingdom, for a kind, loving heart is worth more than worldly riches. Even among the heathen are those who will ask this question, who worshiped God ignorantly without human teaching, heard His voice in nature, cherished kindness, befriended missionaries at peril of their own lives, and did the things the law required. Their works show the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and God's grace softened their hearts and led them to help others though they lacked informed knowledge of the law, while kindness shown by people who have not heard the message of salvation is also recognized as service to God.
Jesus remembers good done for His children and rewards self-sacrificing, generous acts, for such devotion is not forgotten by Him. Those who serve Him by meeting the needs of people for whom the Saviour died may not recognize that their acts are rendered to Christ, but the Father has prepared a reward for them, and on that ground the righteous inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. Their help joined physical relief with spiritual rescue, bringing food, speaking faith, hope and comfort, opening the Word, treating the sufferer as a brother, sympathizing with sorrow, restoring the bruised soul to grasp Christ's outstretched hand, teaching the ignorant of a caring Father, reading precious promises, and inspiring faith unto salvation. Those who were fed, clothed, and directed to the Lamb will thank the faithful workers in the heavenly courts, with all praise, honor and glory to God and to the Lamb as Redeemer, yet with gratitude also rightly expressed to the human instruments God employed.
Neglect Brings Condemnation
Those on the left neglected Him in the person of the poor and suffering and did not perceive what they owed to their brethren. Satan had blinded them, they were self-absorbed and cared not for others' needs, and mercy died out of their hearts. This was especially true of the rich to whom wealth was given to relieve and comfort His suffering children but who felt superior, shut themselves away in costly dwellings and splendid churches, spent His means on pride and selfishness, and treated the poor with contempt.
Failure to seek Him in the sick and imprisoned is refusal of fellowship with Him, and His answer is rejection. Every such neglect is written in the books of heaven as if shown to Christ Himself, registered as done unto Him, and marks the neglectful as workers of iniquity and a daily offense to God by hardness of heart. What is done to an aged mother is done to Christ, and to cast her out or treat her with heartlessness is to put Him away in the person of His saint. The poor left in degradation will stand in the judgment against those who squandered wealth on pride and luxury while others lacked food and clothing, and will bear witness against those who neglected them. Neglect of service to others is recorded as neglect of service to Christ, and missed opportunities to serve remain in the record.
People are held accountable at the judgment not only for wrongs they committed but also for good they could have done and failed to do, and the question about failing to visit the sick or imprisoned illustrates this neglect of duty. Condemnation there is not confined to the most revolting crimes and actual open breaking of the law. Reference is not especially made to actual transgressions and outbreaking sins, but to neglecting to do what might have been done and ought to have been done and was not done because of lack of the moral qualifications placed within reach of every sinner by clothing divinity with humanity and bringing moral power to fallen man to become a laborer together with God.
Those who do no work for Him and live for themselves receive the same condemnation as those who did evil. Neglecting practical duties toward others — feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, dealing justly, and showing mercy — is a violation of God's law and is exposed when judgment comes. Those who persist in it face loss and regret at the judgment, though their regret is not repentance. The same judgment brings accountability for mistreating the weak and driving them into danger, for those who fail to show sympathy toward vulnerable people must answer for their conduct.
Claiming to advance His cause while neglecting the poor and distressed, or even oppressing them, is not justified service to Him, for ministering to suffering people is part of serving Christ. Those who wear religion as a mask yet follow their own evil hearts, show no regard for human brotherhood, honor the rich and those in high positions, show little regard for the poor, ignorant and afflicted, and give no encouragement and no practical consolation and substantial help to the poor, are registered as having lived and died in that neglect, and if they do not repent and reform they will receive according to their evil works. God may place the neglectful in affliction like that of the people whose help and sympathy they withheld.
Forsaking a rightful wife and children, leaving the mother unsupported to bear the labor and cost of rearing them while keeping means and help for self and a second family, is such neglect charged and proclaimed aloud before the assembled universe that it bars entrance to the kingdom of heaven unless there is thorough conversion and honest payment of debts for their support. To want to keep an unmarried son at home for fear of needing him if sick, while depriving a true and forbearing wife who would need him were she sick, reveals deficient discernment and selfish, self-centered lack of common humanity, treating one's own health as of more value than hers.
Faith Proved by Works
At the judgment the two classes are divided not by profession but by practice and conduct, for profession of faith alone has no value there. Genuine faith is shown by love in action, and good works are the fruit of true faith resulting from justification, while inward faith through belief in Christ as a personal Saviour belongs to that same separation. Kind acts to the needy are registered in heaven as done to Christ Himself, and neglect to do them is registered as done to Him, marking workers of iniquity. Applied in the family, what is done to an aged mother as a child of God is done to Christ, and to cast her out with heartlessness is to put Him away.
Day by day in the common incidents of life men determine eternal destiny according to what was done or not done. The whole life tendency, disposition and actions are examined in the courts of heaven to see whether character in probationary time was formed after the pattern given in Christ Jesus for eternal life or after the enemy of righteousness. Those who lived to please self and wasted probationary time cannot enter the kingdom but have their portion with unbelievers. Worldly success gained through selfish or deceptive conduct in God's service does not secure a place in the kingdom.
The judgment recognizes faithful everyday deeds that may seem small or go unnoticed, not eloquence, intellectual ability or generous donations. Even a small act done from love is accepted and rewarded by God, and acts of love and kindness, including care for the suffering and oppressed, are recorded before Him. Humble loving acts count as precious though the doer regards them as nothing remarkable. Serving the least of His brethren, among them the sick and imprisoned, is counted as service to Christ Himself.
Means, time, pen, voice, money, influence, and light and knowledge of the truths heralding the second coming are entrusted to make men wise unto salvation, to be traded for His cause and for relieving suffering, not owned absolutely nor squandered on selfish indulgence. Each steward, whether given one talent or two or five, must give account to heaven, with not a farthing to be squandered, an accountability that should cause fear and trembling. Ministers must answer what they have done to seek perishing souls by living burning faith and opening the Word, searching the Scriptures, bringing truth into daily life and character, and opening the understanding of others to accept Jesus. The decisive test is what was done for Him in the persons of the poor, afflicted, orphan, fatherless, sick, hungry and destitute of clothing with His entrusted means.
Withholding entrusted money and talents from relieving suffering is robbing Christ of His property and His glory. No position in this life and no riches gained by clever schemes or sharp dealing gain acceptance. Those who were receivers but not producers, who did not feed the hungry, clothe the naked, help the destitute, or use tact, skill and worldly treasure to advance the gospel and cooperate with Christ in restoring men, stand condemned as unfaithful servants, lose heavenly treasure, become poorest, and lose their own souls.
A name in the church book does not secure entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Each person must make close critical self-examination, studying Matthew 25:14-46 and comparing the life record with that teaching, asking how opportunities have been used and whether the Lord's talents are traded and put out to the exchangers. Boasting and self-sufficiency are fearfully dangerous and make His words of no effect. The requirement is to walk in His footsteps in humility of true faith, putting away self-trust and pride, committing to the Saviour day by day and hour by hour, constantly receiving and imparting His grace, and working at once with self-denying zeal for souls perishing in sin.
Spending on extravagant display, jewels, ornaments, needless dress, costly self-indulgence, luxury and decorating houses while the worthy poor, afflicted, widows, fatherless, hungry and naked suffer pinching want leaves no excuse and brings confrontation and condemnation in the day of God. Unnecessary indulgence and excess wealth while people lack food and clothing and souls lack bread and water are answerable to the poor and needy. Resources entrusted are not to be misused for luxury while others suffer, but to be economized and denied after Christ's self-denial to meet poverty, provide for the poor, and build a hospital, rather than glorifying the dead with monuments while the living suffer hunger and cold. Care includes visiting, reading God's word to those who cannot see, and comforting and praying for the discouraged, for the poor left in want will stand in judgment against those who squandered wealth on pride and luxury.
Practical Mercy and Mission
Care for those who are sick or in prison belongs together with feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, taking in the stranger, clothing the naked, comforting the desponding and sorrowing, dispensing to the needy, and relieving suffering humanity. Remembering the poor and supplying their necessities would make this world a different place. Following these directions means noticing needs, denying self, welcoming homeless orphans, and giving deliberate continuing relief rather than indifference or passing by. Hospitality and meeting needs in this way are not wasted favors, for to begrudge them is to begrudge Christ Himself, and the blessing of such loving care follows the workers into eternal life. Such service uses entrusted means for mercy, including feeding, cleansing, and clothing outcasts, and gives the lost opportunity to know that someone cares for their souls and to be raised from degradation.
Help is to join physical relief with spiritual rescue by bringing food for bodily need while speaking words of faith, hope and comfort, opening the Word, treating the sufferer as a brother, sympathizing with sorrow, restoring the bruised soul to grasp the outstretched hand, patiently teaching the ignorant of a caring Father, reading precious promises, and inspiring faith to be saved. Selfless workers come with no inducement of earthly praise or compensation into wretched homes to minister to the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and tenderly point all to Christ, of whose love and pity the human worker is but the messenger. Seeing such care touches hearts where the sense of eternal realities, the similitude of God, faith in God and confidence in man have been lost, so that gratitude springs up, faith is kindled, despair in unbelief is broken, the heart is softened and subdued, hunger for the word of life is created, and souls are prepared to listen as the Word is opened and to lay hold of the hand stretched out to save them. Many are thus constrained to turn from evil ways unto eternal salvation, and some of the rescued rise through faith to high places of service, knowing by experience the necessities of the perishing, strengthened to lift up others who could never rise without help, taking the Bible as comforter and becoming colaborers who bring light and advance the work, for which they will thank their helpers in the heavenly courts with all praise to God and the Lamb yet with rightful gratitude to human instruments.
Relieving the sick and distressed is working in His lines and representing His mission and work on earth as the great Medical Missionary, demonstrating the gospel in unselfish action. Truth expressed in living unselfish deeds is an acting sermon more powerful than preaching discourses and the strongest argument for Christianity. Knowledge and skill in this relief opens doors without number where truth can lodge in the heart, gives access to speak of His love and proclaim Jesus through practical relief and consolation, and can soften even the most hard-hearted and sin-encased souls to understand something of godliness, seek knowledge of Jesus and His saving grace, and be saved unto eternal life. The sick and dying, with the widow, orphan, heart-sick, discouraged, ignorant and outcast, are on every hand and doors of service are open everywhere, so none need wait until called to some distant field but should begin at once with those close by. Engaging at once in this self-sacrificing work arouses zeal and broadens and strengthens character, while practical sympathy in visiting the sick and meeting the needs of the hungry and naked touches hearts, kindles faith, and prepares people to hear the Word.
Applied to family and church, what is done to an aged mother, a child of God, is done to Christ, and to cast her out or treat her with heartlessness is to put Him away in the person of His saint. Bringing the sick into the home brings Him in to bless both the care given and those who give it, and He goes with workers even when they ride miles at night through the woods to visit a suffering one, for this work for the sick is God's work and opens doors to hearts. Each smaller church should make judicious arrangements for its poor and sick and keep that work at home instead of giving all its blessings to one center. This includes helping the worthy poor obtain treatment and covering expenses they cannot pay rather than leaving them to suffer, helping newly believing families with food, clothing and other practical needs, and teaching the young to care with courteous sympathy and companionship.
Giving in this way blesses others and cultivates self-denial and benevolence in the giver, shaping that person after Him who became poor for others' sake. Money saved through self-denial and advanced for His work is given to Him Himself. Such duty respects fellow beings whom God values by creation and redemption, values every soul regardless of circumstance or rank, and requires that wealth feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and help widows and orphans rather than be hoarded. It forbids exacting from the poor service or money they have no power to bestow, for taking means by methods that cause hunger or lack of clothing violates His words and will meet judgment and censure.
His example as a wellspring of life and healing by word and work, relieving the sick and suffering in fulfillment of His mission, is to be prayerfully followed and practiced by the church on earth. Members are first to be converted to obedience, then as obedient children to minister from abundance to the suffering and needy in true self-denial and self-sacrifice, turning time spent on pride of dress and love of the world to uplifting humanity, bearing a continual message to those who have not heard, and presenting the Word in simple faith to souls perishing in ignorance, which He makes effectual. Refusing shelter to a needy godly woman because she is old, might be a burden, or is not well known, turning away the homeless and showing no mercy, exposes selfish profession and failure to feel heaven's claims. An unchristlike disposition makes religion distasteful to those close by, and showing no mercy brings judgment without mercy, while ungenerous or unjust treatment of even a poor stranger is recorded in heaven, missed opportunities remain in the record, and all will be faced at the final judgment.
At the final judgment when all are gathered and divided into only two classes, those commended for caring for Him when sick and in prison ask in surprise when they ever saw Him in that condition and came to Him. His answer treats what was done to even the least of His needy brethren as done to Himself, and what was withheld from them as withheld from Him. They had served without knowing they were serving Christ, their unselfish deeds flowing unconsciously from His love and Spirit dwelling in them. Judgment therefore turns not on profession but on practice, with genuine faith proved by loving action and even small everyday deeds of mercy accepted and rewarded. Neglect of the sick and imprisoned through self-absorption and selfish use of entrusted means is neglect of Christ Himself and brings condemnation into everlasting punishment, while faithful ministry enters into life eternal.
Judgment Setting and Question
The question belongs to the final judgment when the Son of man comes in glory with all the holy angels, sits on the throne of glory, and all nations are gathered before Him and separated as sheep from goats, the sheep on the right and the goats on the left. It is asked in the last day at the final separation and final reckoning when God divides all into only two parties, two classes, the just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous, right and left. It is the reply of the righteous on the right hand after they are commended, showing they served without knowing they were serving Christ Himself.
The King invites those on the right to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world because they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, took in the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and came to those in prison, which may include imprisonment for debt. To those on the right He has said, Come ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom, because they fed, welcomed, clothed, and visited Him, and hearing His commendation for this work is to be desired. The Majesty of Heaven thus exalts the sanctified ones to His throne for their works of self-denial and mercy, compassion and righteousness, as the fruit of holiness of heart.
After being commended for visiting Him when sick and in prison, the righteous answer by asking when they ever saw Him sick or in prison and came to Him. Those who cared for His suffering followers by visiting the sick and coming to those in prison were caring for Christ Himself, yet did not realize they were serving Him, and their care was evidence they were His disciples. They are surprised and do not think they have done anything worthy of commendation, asking when they saw Him in that condition and came to Him.
The King answers that inasmuch as it was done to one of the least of His brethren it was done to Him, while failure to minister to the least was failure to minister to Him. Their service to people in need is counted as service to Christ, for doing good to the least of His brethren is doing it to Him. On that ground the righteous enter life eternal and inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, while those who neglected the sick and imprisoned go into everlasting punishment. Those on the left who did not do these things are told to depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, and refusing help to His saints is neglect of Christ leading to that punishment, while neglect of the hungry and naked and failure to act justly and mercifully brings loss and regret at the judgment though that regret is not repentance.
The discourse belongs to what Jesus gave shortly before entering Gethsemane, after a day of work and speaking, while weary, as Pharisees pressed Him with questions and He delivered predictions and warnings. The division by these words between sheep and goats decides forever the destiny of the two classes and reveals the character God accepts, which all must study for the education of the soul. When the righteous are saved in the kingdom of God and the worldly guilty find themselves outside the gates of the city, shame and an awakening that comes too late follow because choice has already decided destiny after mercy was scorned, the Redeemer dishonored, and the love of God refused.
Christ Identified with Sufferers
Christ identifies Himself and His interest with suffering humanity, so that deeds of love, charity, pity and benevolence done to those in need are treated, accepted and registered in heaven as done to Him, while neglect, disrespect and failure to help them are neglect of Him. Those welcomed ask when they ever saw Him sick or in prison and came to Him, and the answer is that whatever was done for one of the least of His brethren was done for Himself, which is the commendation to be desired. Those who cared for His suffering followers in this way were caring for Christ Himself without realizing they were serving Him, and their care was evidence they were His disciples.
Their sickness and imprisonment are treated as His own, so that visiting them and coming to them with help, comfort and Christlike love is visiting and coming to Christ Himself. He is present in the poor and suffering who plead for relief, and serving them is receiving the living Christ, while turning away repeats the failure to recognize Him when He is acknowledged only as a figure of history. Their poverty and suffering give occasion to know and show mercy and love, calling out sympathy, love and practical help rather than indifference or merely passing by, through deliberate and continuing efforts to relieve them as part of His own work and as gratitude to God. The afflicted have a right to expect sympathy and help, and every neglect is written in the books of heaven as shown to Christ, offending God daily by hardness of heart.
The needy are His representatives on earth, His saints, brethren, children and least, and pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted as if shown directly to Him. Oppression of another is treated as an act against Christ for which the oppressor must answer to God, expressing the duty to respect and care for fellow beings whom God values by creation and redemption. Ungenerous or unjust treatment of even a poor stranger, and refusal of shelter to a needy godly woman because she is old, might be a burden, or is not well known, exposes selfish profession, for welcoming her would be welcoming Jesus in her person. Such a record decides standing before the Judge of all the earth and whether the invitation to inherit the kingdom is spoken.
Those in need include the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned, which may include imprisonment for debt, together with the widow, the fatherless, the orphan, the outcast, the heart-sick, the discouraged, the ignorant, the dying, and brethren found in close and trying places, both colored and white. Every action to relieve the necessities of the afflicted is kept on record, and to see a brother in a hard place and take advantage of the situation can never be approved, while working to relieve needy brethren brings approval. Doors of service to them are open everywhere on every hand, so none need wait until called to some distant field before beginning this self-sacrificing work, which arouses zeal and broadens and strengthens character. Withholding entrusted money and talents from relieving their suffering robs Him of His property and glory, and no position or riches gained by clever schemes or sharp dealing gains acceptance.
He Himself was hungry and thirsty while others feasted, a stranger without home while they were at ease, destitute while they crowded wardrobes, sick and languishing in prison while they pursued pleasure, and He was near them all their days in the person of the afflicted. He shares in their affliction and longs for Christians to show His character through conduct toward one another, in human brotherhood and unity rather than dissension, bickering or selfishness. Failure to seek Him in the sick and imprisoned is refusal of fellowship with Him, answered by rejection.
Unconscious Righteous Service
The question itself shows that the righteous had cared for the sick and come to those in prison without realizing they were serving Christ himself, for they had not recognized Him in those they helped. When commended for visiting Him in sickness and imprisonment, they answer with surprise and perplexed surprise, asking when they ever saw Him in that condition and came to Him. That surprise then turns to surprised joy and gladness as they look up at His words of approval.
Their unawareness reveals unconscious unselfish service, with Christ interwoven into character and brought into everyday life by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. That service was given with attention to the least and not to the greatest, yet with no consciousness of anything done. In contrast stand those on the left, also unconscious of their neglect, because they had educated and trained themselves in the school of self-indulgence, and by that neglect lost heaven and the eternity of bliss they might have had by devoting their powers to God.
They served willingly because Christ's love was in them, without realizing that serving the needy was serving Christ, and the way people treat His people and humanity brings reward or condemnation. Their kindness was moved by the Spirit of Christ, and in serving even the least of His brethren they served Him. Through the divine Spirit they were a blessing to those about them, having cherished His principles, and their deeds express Christlike character and true godliness.
They may have known little of theology, but their care for people suffering for His name was evidence that they were His disciples. They are marked as children of God who will dwell with Christ in His kingdom, for a kind, loving heart is worth more than worldly riches. Even among the heathen are those who will ask this question, who worshiped God ignorantly without human teaching, heard His voice in nature, cherished kindness, befriended missionaries at peril of their own lives, and did the things the law required. Their works show the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and God's grace softened their hearts and led them to help others though they lacked informed knowledge of the law, while kindness shown by people who have not heard the message of salvation is also recognized as service to God.
Jesus remembers good done for His children and rewards self-sacrificing, generous acts, for such devotion is not forgotten by Him. Those who serve Him by meeting the needs of people for whom the Saviour died may not recognize that their acts are rendered to Christ, but the Father has prepared a reward for them, and on that ground the righteous inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. Their help joined physical relief with spiritual rescue, bringing food, speaking faith, hope and comfort, opening the Word, treating the sufferer as a brother, sympathizing with sorrow, restoring the bruised soul to grasp Christ's outstretched hand, teaching the ignorant of a caring Father, reading precious promises, and inspiring faith unto salvation. Those who were fed, clothed, and directed to the Lamb will thank the faithful workers in the heavenly courts, with all praise, honor and glory to God and to the Lamb as Redeemer, yet with gratitude also rightly expressed to the human instruments God employed.
Neglect Brings Condemnation
Those on the left neglected Him in the person of the poor and suffering and did not perceive what they owed to their brethren. Satan had blinded them, they were self-absorbed and cared not for others' needs, and mercy died out of their hearts. This was especially true of the rich to whom wealth was given to relieve and comfort His suffering children but who felt superior, shut themselves away in costly dwellings and splendid churches, spent His means on pride and selfishness, and treated the poor with contempt.
Failure to seek Him in the sick and imprisoned is refusal of fellowship with Him, and His answer is rejection. Every such neglect is written in the books of heaven as if shown to Christ Himself, registered as done unto Him, and marks the neglectful as workers of iniquity and a daily offense to God by hardness of heart. What is done to an aged mother is done to Christ, and to cast her out or treat her with heartlessness is to put Him away in the person of His saint. The poor left in degradation will stand in the judgment against those who squandered wealth on pride and luxury while others lacked food and clothing, and will bear witness against those who neglected them. Neglect of service to others is recorded as neglect of service to Christ, and missed opportunities to serve remain in the record.
People are held accountable at the judgment not only for wrongs they committed but also for good they could have done and failed to do, and the question about failing to visit the sick or imprisoned illustrates this neglect of duty. Condemnation there is not confined to the most revolting crimes and actual open breaking of the law. Reference is not especially made to actual transgressions and outbreaking sins, but to neglecting to do what might have been done and ought to have been done and was not done because of lack of the moral qualifications placed within reach of every sinner by clothing divinity with humanity and bringing moral power to fallen man to become a laborer together with God.
Those who do no work for Him and live for themselves receive the same condemnation as those who did evil. Neglecting practical duties toward others — feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, dealing justly, and showing mercy — is a violation of God's law and is exposed when judgment comes. Those who persist in it face loss and regret at the judgment, though their regret is not repentance. The same judgment brings accountability for mistreating the weak and driving them into danger, for those who fail to show sympathy toward vulnerable people must answer for their conduct.
Claiming to advance His cause while neglecting the poor and distressed, or even oppressing them, is not justified service to Him, for ministering to suffering people is part of serving Christ. Those who wear religion as a mask yet follow their own evil hearts, show no regard for human brotherhood, honor the rich and those in high positions, show little regard for the poor, ignorant and afflicted, and give no encouragement and no practical consolation and substantial help to the poor, are registered as having lived and died in that neglect, and if they do not repent and reform they will receive according to their evil works. God may place the neglectful in affliction like that of the people whose help and sympathy they withheld.
Forsaking a rightful wife and children, leaving the mother unsupported to bear the labor and cost of rearing them while keeping means and help for self and a second family, is such neglect charged and proclaimed aloud before the assembled universe that it bars entrance to the kingdom of heaven unless there is thorough conversion and honest payment of debts for their support. To want to keep an unmarried son at home for fear of needing him if sick, while depriving a true and forbearing wife who would need him were she sick, reveals deficient discernment and selfish, self-centered lack of common humanity, treating one's own health as of more value than hers.
Faith Proved by Works
At the judgment the two classes are divided not by profession but by practice and conduct, for profession of faith alone has no value there. Genuine faith is shown by love in action, and good works are the fruit of true faith resulting from justification, while inward faith through belief in Christ as a personal Saviour belongs to that same separation. Kind acts to the needy are registered in heaven as done to Christ Himself, and neglect to do them is registered as done to Him, marking workers of iniquity. Applied in the family, what is done to an aged mother as a child of God is done to Christ, and to cast her out with heartlessness is to put Him away.
Day by day in the common incidents of life men determine eternal destiny according to what was done or not done. The whole life tendency, disposition and actions are examined in the courts of heaven to see whether character in probationary time was formed after the pattern given in Christ Jesus for eternal life or after the enemy of righteousness. Those who lived to please self and wasted probationary time cannot enter the kingdom but have their portion with unbelievers. Worldly success gained through selfish or deceptive conduct in God's service does not secure a place in the kingdom.
The judgment recognizes faithful everyday deeds that may seem small or go unnoticed, not eloquence, intellectual ability or generous donations. Even a small act done from love is accepted and rewarded by God, and acts of love and kindness, including care for the suffering and oppressed, are recorded before Him. Humble loving acts count as precious though the doer regards them as nothing remarkable. Serving the least of His brethren, among them the sick and imprisoned, is counted as service to Christ Himself.
Means, time, pen, voice, money, influence, and light and knowledge of the truths heralding the second coming are entrusted to make men wise unto salvation, to be traded for His cause and for relieving suffering, not owned absolutely nor squandered on selfish indulgence. Each steward, whether given one talent or two or five, must give account to heaven, with not a farthing to be squandered, an accountability that should cause fear and trembling. Ministers must answer what they have done to seek perishing souls by living burning faith and opening the Word, searching the Scriptures, bringing truth into daily life and character, and opening the understanding of others to accept Jesus. The decisive test is what was done for Him in the persons of the poor, afflicted, orphan, fatherless, sick, hungry and destitute of clothing with His entrusted means.
Withholding entrusted money and talents from relieving suffering is robbing Christ of His property and His glory. No position in this life and no riches gained by clever schemes or sharp dealing gain acceptance. Those who were receivers but not producers, who did not feed the hungry, clothe the naked, help the destitute, or use tact, skill and worldly treasure to advance the gospel and cooperate with Christ in restoring men, stand condemned as unfaithful servants, lose heavenly treasure, become poorest, and lose their own souls.
A name in the church book does not secure entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Each person must make close critical self-examination, studying Matthew 25:14-46 and comparing the life record with that teaching, asking how opportunities have been used and whether the Lord's talents are traded and put out to the exchangers. Boasting and self-sufficiency are fearfully dangerous and make His words of no effect. The requirement is to walk in His footsteps in humility of true faith, putting away self-trust and pride, committing to the Saviour day by day and hour by hour, constantly receiving and imparting His grace, and working at once with self-denying zeal for souls perishing in sin.
Spending on extravagant display, jewels, ornaments, needless dress, costly self-indulgence, luxury and decorating houses while the worthy poor, afflicted, widows, fatherless, hungry and naked suffer pinching want leaves no excuse and brings confrontation and condemnation in the day of God. Unnecessary indulgence and excess wealth while people lack food and clothing and souls lack bread and water are answerable to the poor and needy. Resources entrusted are not to be misused for luxury while others suffer, but to be economized and denied after Christ's self-denial to meet poverty, provide for the poor, and build a hospital, rather than glorifying the dead with monuments while the living suffer hunger and cold. Care includes visiting, reading God's word to those who cannot see, and comforting and praying for the discouraged, for the poor left in want will stand in judgment against those who squandered wealth on pride and luxury.
Practical Mercy and Mission
Care for those who are sick or in prison belongs together with feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, taking in the stranger, clothing the naked, comforting the desponding and sorrowing, dispensing to the needy, and relieving suffering humanity. Remembering the poor and supplying their necessities would make this world a different place. Following these directions means noticing needs, denying self, welcoming homeless orphans, and giving deliberate continuing relief rather than indifference or passing by. Hospitality and meeting needs in this way are not wasted favors, for to begrudge them is to begrudge Christ Himself, and the blessing of such loving care follows the workers into eternal life. Such service uses entrusted means for mercy, including feeding, cleansing, and clothing outcasts, and gives the lost opportunity to know that someone cares for their souls and to be raised from degradation.
Help is to join physical relief with spiritual rescue by bringing food for bodily need while speaking words of faith, hope and comfort, opening the Word, treating the sufferer as a brother, sympathizing with sorrow, restoring the bruised soul to grasp the outstretched hand, patiently teaching the ignorant of a caring Father, reading precious promises, and inspiring faith to be saved. Selfless workers come with no inducement of earthly praise or compensation into wretched homes to minister to the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and tenderly point all to Christ, of whose love and pity the human worker is but the messenger. Seeing such care touches hearts where the sense of eternal realities, the similitude of God, faith in God and confidence in man have been lost, so that gratitude springs up, faith is kindled, despair in unbelief is broken, the heart is softened and subdued, hunger for the word of life is created, and souls are prepared to listen as the Word is opened and to lay hold of the hand stretched out to save them. Many are thus constrained to turn from evil ways unto eternal salvation, and some of the rescued rise through faith to high places of service, knowing by experience the necessities of the perishing, strengthened to lift up others who could never rise without help, taking the Bible as comforter and becoming colaborers who bring light and advance the work, for which they will thank their helpers in the heavenly courts with all praise to God and the Lamb yet with rightful gratitude to human instruments.
Relieving the sick and distressed is working in His lines and representing His mission and work on earth as the great Medical Missionary, demonstrating the gospel in unselfish action. Truth expressed in living unselfish deeds is an acting sermon more powerful than preaching discourses and the strongest argument for Christianity. Knowledge and skill in this relief opens doors without number where truth can lodge in the heart, gives access to speak of His love and proclaim Jesus through practical relief and consolation, and can soften even the most hard-hearted and sin-encased souls to understand something of godliness, seek knowledge of Jesus and His saving grace, and be saved unto eternal life. The sick and dying, with the widow, orphan, heart-sick, discouraged, ignorant and outcast, are on every hand and doors of service are open everywhere, so none need wait until called to some distant field but should begin at once with those close by. Engaging at once in this self-sacrificing work arouses zeal and broadens and strengthens character, while practical sympathy in visiting the sick and meeting the needs of the hungry and naked touches hearts, kindles faith, and prepares people to hear the Word.
Applied to family and church, what is done to an aged mother, a child of God, is done to Christ, and to cast her out or treat her with heartlessness is to put Him away in the person of His saint. Bringing the sick into the home brings Him in to bless both the care given and those who give it, and He goes with workers even when they ride miles at night through the woods to visit a suffering one, for this work for the sick is God's work and opens doors to hearts. Each smaller church should make judicious arrangements for its poor and sick and keep that work at home instead of giving all its blessings to one center. This includes helping the worthy poor obtain treatment and covering expenses they cannot pay rather than leaving them to suffer, helping newly believing families with food, clothing and other practical needs, and teaching the young to care with courteous sympathy and companionship.
Giving in this way blesses others and cultivates self-denial and benevolence in the giver, shaping that person after Him who became poor for others' sake. Money saved through self-denial and advanced for His work is given to Him Himself. Such duty respects fellow beings whom God values by creation and redemption, values every soul regardless of circumstance or rank, and requires that wealth feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and help widows and orphans rather than be hoarded. It forbids exacting from the poor service or money they have no power to bestow, for taking means by methods that cause hunger or lack of clothing violates His words and will meet judgment and censure.
His example as a wellspring of life and healing by word and work, relieving the sick and suffering in fulfillment of His mission, is to be prayerfully followed and practiced by the church on earth. Members are first to be converted to obedience, then as obedient children to minister from abundance to the suffering and needy in true self-denial and self-sacrifice, turning time spent on pride of dress and love of the world to uplifting humanity, bearing a continual message to those who have not heard, and presenting the Word in simple faith to souls perishing in ignorance, which He makes effectual. Refusing shelter to a needy godly woman because she is old, might be a burden, or is not well known, turning away the homeless and showing no mercy, exposes selfish profession and failure to feel heaven's claims. An unchristlike disposition makes religion distasteful to those close by, and showing no mercy brings judgment without mercy, while ungenerous or unjust treatment of even a poor stranger is recorded in heaven, missed opportunities remain in the record, and all will be faced at the final judgment.