JBTM_10-2_Fall_2013

JBTM
Twyla K. Hernandez
43
Several passages in the New Testament make the connection between our “good works” to
the poor and how these relate to our salvation. The story of the Sheep and the Goats in Matt
25:31–46 is a good illustration of this connection. In this passage, Jesus begins by discussing that
“when the Son of Man comes in His glory,” He will separate the nations into two categories:
the sheep on the right and the goats on the left. He then invites the sheep on the right to come
and “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (v. 34). The goats
on the left, however, will be sent into “eternal punishment” (v. 46). How does Jesus make this
division at the end of time? Surprisingly, it depends on how the righteous have treated those in
need. Jesus says:
For I was hungry
and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or
thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or
without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’
“And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ (Matt 25:35–40)
The connection to our salvation is clear. While our salvation does not depend on helping the
poor, it is evidenced by our willingness to feed and clothe the poor, provide medical care to the
sick, and visit the imprisoned, according to Jesus’ words here in Matthew.
Another passage in the New Testament that demonstrates the fact that our salvation should be
evidenced by our care for the poor comes appropriately from the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians
13. When reading this chapter, we sometimes skip the first few verses in order to arrive at the
“Love is…” part of the passage that begins in verse four. The first three verses, though, address
how we are to show love in the human realm. They say:
If I speak human or angelic languages
but do not have love,
I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy
and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith
so that I can move mountains
but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor,