Doing good to the “least of these” separates the sheep from the goats (Mt 25:31-46). This parable actually defines what righteousness is, compassionate actions toward the “least of these”. The kingdoms of men care for those at the top. The Kingdom of God cares for those at the bottom: the least, the lost, the last. King Jesus will judge us on how we did with them. The evangelical question, “Did you get saved?” —is not asked. It is, “Did you do the kingdom-of-sheep work I taught you to do?” God can change a goat to a sheep; the proof of transformation is that he or she does sheep things.
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, 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 was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:34-40 (NRSV)
