Matthews gospel the Sheep and the Goats

[mpr6868]

My question is in this passage of Matthew’s gospel, about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned etc., what if you do only one of these works. will you still be condemned to hell. or do you have to perform all that is listed. It has been nagging me lately and feel guilty about this chapter. I regularly do not to catholic charities financially and do support a physically ill person in south america through the unbound charities.
Thanks! for all those who comment!

 

[MT1926]

what if you do only one of these works. will you still be condemned to hell.

This is a teaching about serving others and in doing so we serve Christ. It is not a check list that unless you fill in all of the squares you are condemned. If you really think about Jesus just hit some high points, I’m sure there are many many more acts of service we could come up with.

God has given us all different gifts

Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Read this parable in light of the parable before it. The one on the Talents. It is about stewardship and not squandering the talents God has given us.

Basically, if you take all of this together it is pretty easy to see that we all aren’t given the talents to fulfill all of these “bullet points” in Matthew 25. How can a person who doesn’t have enough food to feed himself feed the hungry. However, this person could be loving and welcoming towards others.

Jesus wants us to have a changed heart and desire to serve others out of love, not because we have to but because we want to.

Hope this helps,

God Bless