For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘You must willingly open your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land.’
“What then should we do? ” the crowds were asking him.
He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”
Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.
No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.
The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?
If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food
and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?
In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.
Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.
Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need — how can God’s love reside in him?
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will give a reward to the lender.
In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.
There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him,
grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
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.’