Luke 14:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then he will say to those on his right, 'Come, you blessed of 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 naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.'” Furthermore, I say to you, all that you have done for one of these least ones, you have done for me. Therefore, your generosity will not be in vain; rather, your compassion for the impoverished will make your wealth emit a delightful aroma. Invest in the grace that comes from God; purchase for your friend, the Lord of heaven and earth. For we often seek the friendship of men through large sums of money, and when men of high standing are reconciled to us, we feel immense joy in presenting them gifts, even exceeding our means, due to the honor they bring us. Yet, all of this is fleeting, quickly diminishing, akin to the remnants of a dream. Shouldn't we value the opportunity to be part of God's household as something significant? Surely, we will stand before Christ after our resurrection, where the compassionate and merciful will be rewarded according to their deeds, while those who have been harsh and devoid of love will receive judgment appropriate to their actions. For it is written, "To them that have not shown mercy judgment without mercy." If this is the case, does it not demonstrate the wisdom of a sound mind to tend to our lives before we descend into the depths of despair? Let us consider this together. Imagine that for some reason we were taken before a judge due to a legal transgression, and after a verdict was rendered, we were sentenced as our actions warranted; would we not willingly part with our wealth to avoid torment and punishment? Surely we would not doubt this. For a human being is worth more than possessions, and life is more valuable than wealth. We are guilty of numerous sins and will have to answer to the Judge for everything we have done; why then should we not strive to liberate ourselves from judgment and eternal suffering while we still have the chance? The path to deliverance is through virtuous living—supporting those burdened by poverty, generously opening our hands to those in need, and showing compassion to the sick. Tell me, what can be more burdensome than poverty, that relentless predator, that scourge which no words can withstand, that is worse than any affliction? Thus, we must reach out to those who are ensnared by it: we should open our hearts to them and not ignore their cries for help. For if a traveler were attacked by a wild beast, would not those nearby seize whatever they could—be it a stone or a stick—to fend off the beast, showing mercy to the one in distress? Who among us could be so callous and unfeeling as to overlook someone suffering in such a manner? You must recognize that poverty, as I mentioned, is more merciless than any predator. Therefore, assist those who have succumbed to it: lend your ear to the poor and listen to them, for it is written, "For he that shuts his ears to the call of the oppressed will cry out and receive no answer." Give in order to receive; listen in order to be heard; sow a little so that you may reap abundantly. Moreover, physical pleasures are fleeting and ephemeral, culminating in decay, but acts of charity and generosity towards the needy will bestow eternal glory from God upon those who engage in them, guiding them towards the everlasting joy that Christ offers to those who love Him; to whom, with God the Father, be praise and authority, along with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

The intention behind this guidance is not to discredit friendships, family ties, or brotherhood; rather, it is to highlight superior matters that should be prioritized, encouraging individuals not to offer hospitality solely for those who require no return favor. It is thus imperative to serve God above all and seek rewards from Him rather than from human beings. Additionally, it is fitting for the host of a spiritual banquet to extend invitations to the impoverished due to their lack of knowledge, the disabled as a result of mental sluggishness, the lethargic in their actions, and those who are blind in their contemplation. These individuals are not inherently so and do not seek these things. Therefore, if those of lesser generosity invite friends, relatives, and wealthy neighbors solely for the sake of immediate gratitude, the truly generous pursue far more noble and glorious aims. The Lord has demonstrated this through those who extend kindness to the weak, impoverished, and disabled, from whom no recompense can be expected; to such recipients, God has assured a reward in the age to come.

And these are celebrated by the general gathering together of all, or the hospitality in turn of each one of the company; and they meet together that they may perpetrate foul deeds, and through excess of wine be provoked to all kinds of lustful pleasure.

Yet, He cautions that the rewards for good deeds done toward those who cannot reciprocate will be received in this life, and thus one should not anticipate future rewards for such actions; those who act thus accumulate treasures for themselves but do not become wealthy in God's sight (Luke 12:21). When one does good for those from whom no return is expected, it is as if they lend to God (Proverbs 19:17), who certainly does not owe anything to humanity.

The wealthy Pharisee would have secured a much more profound and lasting blessing had he chosen to invite a destitute man suffering from dropsy to join him, allowing the poor who observed his feast to partake in his hospitality as well.

But when thou art bidden, go and sit in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, ‘Friend, go up higher’; then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.” By urging the Pharisees to consider the usual worldly strategies, the Saviour sought to convey to all of His disciples that genuine moral stature is found in humility and self-effacement; thus He added: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

The host of the gathering, who had deliberately chosen his guests with a narrow and self-serving focus, also received guidance. Within the circle of relatives, friends, and affluent neighbors, there was no place for the needy sick man whom the Lord had just healed. The Pharisees in attendance, who looked down upon poverty and disenfranchisement, rejected the fellowship with those lacking wealth or social status. The meek and compassionate Saviour, to whom all tax collectors and sinners freely approached (Luke 15:1), was universally regarded as the one who welcomed the most despised of society. He instructed the host, saying, "When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” In this context, sharing a meal with the less fortunate takes on profound moral significance and becomes a virtuous act rewarded in heaven. The essence of this teaching parallels the message delivered during the Sermon on the Mount regarding the complete selflessness inherent in Christian charity (Matthew 5:44-47; Luke 6:32-35).