We are facing a crisis here in the American church regarding how we should take care of the needy, and there are a lot of competing voices claiming they are basing their views on what Jesus said. Let’s dive in and look at the scripture many are saying they and others should obey:
Matthew 25:31–46
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who 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 drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
(emphasis mine)
Clearly, Jesus is speaking about how we treat other people, regardless of skin color, nationality, gender, etc. For anyone to think otherwise would be very un-Christ-like. However, that’s not the overall issue that needs to be addressed. The real issue facing us is the hyper-focus on that phrase, least of these, at the expense of everything else. The hypocrites who use this phrase in a condemning and accusatory way are the same people who take no action themselves. While the Bible is crystal clear about caring for the poor and needy (Psalm 35:10, James 1:27, Psalm 68:5), the Bible also condemns the hypocrites.
Psalm 26:4
I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
Matthew 6:2
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Yes, you read that correctly. Jesus is saying that giving to the needy can be hypocritical. Today, it isn’t any less so. In fact, those clanging and clamoring about how we should treat the least of these aren’t willing to take any action themselves.
When Phil was confronted for his hypocrisy, this is what he said:
The above interaction on X (formerly Twitter) with Phil Vischer is an example of a much larger group of people who claim how Christians should treat other people, in this case, migrants (whether legal or illegal), while taking no action themselves.
This is the same group of people who claimed we should give sanctuary to illegal immigrants, yet when push came to shove, they refused to do so.
Many of the 49 migrants who were flown to Martha’s Vineyard are still struggling. Some have not yet obtained work permits, and many are still living in shelters, unable to afford permanent housing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/us/migrants-desantis-marthas-vineyard.html
Almost a year after illegal immigrants were transported to Martha’s Vineyard, they were still struggling, even though the people who reside in Martha’s Vineyard were part of those shouting loudest for us to welcome in illegal immigrants.
Whether the sentiment comes from woke and progressive “Christians” like Phil Vischer or the residents of Martha’s Vineyard, the fact remains that hypocrites are trying to guilt-trip anyone who doesn’t want a mass influx of immigrants, illegal or legal, coming into America.
Before we dive into what the Bible says in full to us, let me emphasize this point: let’s not fall prey to the emotionally charged language liberals are weaponizing against us. They are no different than any armchair-type quarterback with no skin in the game; they sacrifice nothing towards the cause they claim they support.
What Does The Bible Command Christians To Do?
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
These are the words of Jesus that are equal in meaning and emphasis as His words in Matthew 25 about taking care of the least of these. Furthermore, if we who claim the name of Christ as our King (Christians) claim Matthew 25:31-46 then we should obey the Great Commission. If we’re unwilling to obey one or the other, then we live in disobedience since there is no such thing as partial obedience in the kingdom of God.
Notice that Jesus commands us to go. That word in the Greek is πορευθέντες/poreuthentes, which is a verb meaning to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one's journey, to traverse, i.e. travel. (from netbible.org)
This is a command for every single Christian and, in fact, was normative in first-century Christianity. The American idea of never non-involvement in anything outside of our borders, national or residential, is a foreign concept in the Bible. If there were a way to help, the early church would.
Acts 2:44-45
All who believed were together and held everything in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need.
Acts 4:32-37
The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. For there was no one needy among them because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need. So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and placed it at the apostles’ feet.
This is generosity 101, Christians not being concerned with the accumulation of earthly wealth and comfortable lifestyles. The concern of genuine Christians is always selfless instead of selfish, those who lead from the front. We see in the above passage where Joseph the Levite sold land that belonged to him. Just as owning land, especially farmland today, is a sign of being well off financially, being a land owner in the Ancient Near East was a sign of wealth. Yet, for the love of Jesus and others (Matthew 22:36-40), Joseph and many others were willing to act.
Acts 11:27-29
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
Again, we see the selfless generosity of true believers. In fact, just at the foretelling of a great famine, the Bible says So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
According to God, the heart of a true Christian is one of a cheerful giver.
So far, we have seen the holy scriptures describe how Christians are selfless people who are willing to do whatever it takes to go and ensure the needy are taken care of. How the idea of Christians being uninvolved is a foreign concept in the Bible, and how God expects those who are His children to lead the way in generosity.
Does this mean we’re to open our borders and let anyone who claims to be an asylum seeker in?
Walls, Borders, and Laws
Matthew 10:16
“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Psalm 119:66
Teach me proper discernment and understanding. For I consider your commands to be reliable.
Proverbs 7:7
and I saw among the naive—I discerned among the youths—a young man who lacked sense.
Proverbs 25:28
Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,
so is a person who cannot control his temper.
Let’s discuss what God has to say about the oft-hot topic of walls, borders, and obeying laws because, as Christians, our lives are to be directed by God Himself, and where we find this is primarily in His written Word. Believe it or not, God has a lot to say about what America and other nations are facing today, especially immigration.
Isaiah 58 is an excellent place for us to look. In this chapter, God mentions caring for the hungry and oppressed and walls. There are many voices who would have us believe that it is either taking care of the oppressed or having walls and borders. Yet, the scriptures are replete with God mentioning walls and taking care of the needy at the same time. In fact, God equates Israel regaining righteousness when they cease oppressing people and become generous once again.
Isaiah 58:10-12
You must actively help the hungry
and feed the oppressed.
Then your light will dispel the darkness,
and your darkness will be transformed into noonday.
The Lord will continually lead you;
he will feed you even in parched regions.
He will give you renewed strength,
and you will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring that continually produces water.
Your perpetual ruins will be rebuilt;
you will reestablish the ancient foundations.
You will be called, ‘The one who repairs broken walls,
the one who makes the streets inhabitable again.’
What does this mean for us today? It’s quite simple: God is not a God of chaos but one of order and laws whether we’re reading the Old Testament or the New Testament.
Romans 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment.
We are warned that those who resist righteous governmental authority will incur God's judgment. Protecting a nation’s citizens along with their property, pets, and economy is righteous in the eyes of God. This means becoming a nation where this doesn’t happen is sinful in the eyes of God.
This is what I posted on X (formerly Twitter) about this:
If we don’t seriously consider the issue of immigration from a biblical standpoint, we will bring doom to America. No nation will ever survive when laws are allowed to be broken with impunity.
You may ask, well, doesn’t the Bible tell us how to treat the sojourner? You would be correct, and of course, God gives detailed instructions, whether to the sojourner in ancient Israel or the Christian sojourner in this world.
Deuteronomy 10:17-19
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God who is unbiased and takes no bribe, who justly treats the orphan and widow, and who loves resident foreigners, giving them food and clothing. So you must love the resident foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Numbers 15:14-16
If a resident foreigner is living with you—or whoever is among you in future generations—and prepares an offering made by fire as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, he must do it the same way you are to do it. One statute must apply to you who belong to the congregation and to the resident foreigner who is living among you, as a permanent statute for your future generations. You and the resident foreigner will be alike before the Lord. One law and one custom must apply to you and to the resident foreigner who lives alongside you.’”
We see where foreigners (sojourners) were to be treated justly, cared for, and obey God’s law in ancient Israel if they were to be allowed to stay. Unlike the liberals who try to weaponize only the select scriptures that appear to support open borders, God tells us that a nation’s laws are to be obeyed. God never changes or changes His mind. He has never and will never stop being a God who requires laws and obedience to laws. When Jesus returns, according to Zechariah 14 and Isaiah 66:23, the nations will be required to obey the laws of God, at least as they pertain to the sabbath and feasts, or God will curse them.
Why would we think that God would allow chaos to ensue by allowing anyone and everyone to cross our borders? If this were the case, then God wouldn’t be God. Let’s see what else God has to say about this in Romans 13:
Romans 13:3-7
(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing. Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
(emphasis mine)
According to God, anyone who is righteous will obey, and be in subjection to the ruling authority. Of course, this doesn’t mean blind obedience, and we are discussing righteous laws. That means when those laws are against God’s law, we seek to obey God. When a government’s immigration laws or policies allow for unchecked immigration where terrorists and criminals come in and wreak havoc, we are to resist said policies and laws. After all, the Bible does command us to be wise as serpents by using God-given discernment.
For anyone to equate taking care of the hungry, poor, and oppressed with having open borders is utter folly. God Himself doesn’t have open borders; if anyone is going to enter God’s Kingdom, there is only one way:
John 14:6
Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
In Summary
In summary, let’s stop being baited by leftist ideology through their attempts at emotional manipulation. We need to be students of the Word by studying it daily AND applying it.
God is a God of laws who expects a nation to have and enforce laws. Also, God expects us to obey those laws as citizens of that nation, even though we are sojourners in this world.
We are to be wise as serpents by applying God-given discernment and not allowing anyone and everyone in through our borders.
We can accomplish God’s will for the orphans, widows, needy, and oppressed to be taken care of by being involved in either going ourselves or, barring our ability to do so, giving financially to Christian missionary organizations. Let’s not be hypocrites about this by telling others to do what we are unwilling to do.