From Matthew 25:31-49: “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.”(NRSV) Note that Jesus does not say, “As you did to the deserving but unlucky.” Nor does he say “As you did it to the industrious,” or “to the independent” or “to the self-sufficient” or “to the frugal” or “to the responsible.” He says, “to the least.” The Greek word there is “elachiston.” It means smaller than small. Less than less. “Micro” is small. This is smaller.
Since this is the only place in the gospels where we get a preview of what’s on humanity’s final exam, I think we should take Jesus at his word, and this Word should frame not only our ministries, but also our lifestyles and our politics.