MY LEAST BRETHREN

"Truly, I say to you, 

as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, 

you did it to me."

Matthew 25:40

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers (Heb. 2:11).

Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? -- Job 31:15

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all (Prv. 22:2). For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring' (Acts 17:28).


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? -- 1 John. 3:17

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God (Prv. 14:31). If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs (Dt. 15:7-8). He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses (Prv. 28:27). He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done (Prv. 19:17). A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor (Prv. 22:9).

Jesus said, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (Mt. 10:42).

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." -- Luke 6:38

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality (Rom. 12:13). God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them (Heb. 6:10). From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him (Prv. 12:14).