Matthew 25:40 Meaning: Serving Others Is Serving Jesus

Matthew 25:40 (NIV) says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Who are the least of these? What does Matthew 25:40 mean? Let’s explore this Bible verse and learn how we can live out the meaning of it in our lives together.

What’s Here:

• Matthew 25:40 Meaning: What We Do for Others, We Do for Jesus
• 4 Ways You Can Live Out the Meaning of Matthew 25:40
• See How the Church Lives Out Matthew 25:40 in Peru

Matthew 25:40 Meaning: What We Do for Others, We Do for Jesus

To understand Matthew 25:40, we’ve got to step back a few verses to Matthew 25:31-33 (NIV):

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

Sheep? Goats? What? In Matthew 25, Jesus is teaching his disciples using parables, simple stories that illustrate spiritual disciplines and truths.

In this parable, Jesus tells his disciples that during the final judgment of the world, people will be separated into two groups: sheep, or those found righteous in his eyes, and goats, or those found unrighteous.

Now, we don’t know about you, but we’d much prefer to be put into the sheep group. After all, in Matthew 25:41, we find that the goats will need to depart from Jesus and into “eternal fire.” But those found righteous will be with Jesus, complete with a heavenly inheritance.

But how can you be found righteous in Jesus’ eyes? By accepting Jesus and following his way. This is where Matthew 25:35-40 comes in.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Whatever we do for the least of these around us — the vulnerable, marginalized, sick or impoverished — we do for Jesus. When we serve them, we’re serving him.

Those found righteous in this parable lived out lives of service to those in need around them, just like Jesus did. And Jesus is instructing his disciples (and all of us) to do the same!

4 Ways You Can Live Out the Meaning of Matthew 25:40

Living out the meaning of Matthew 25:40 means serving those in need as if it’s unto Jesus — because it is. There are many simple ways you can serve others in your day-to-day life. Here are a few!

1. Pray for Those Around You

James 5:16 (NIV) says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Our prayers are powerful. What better way is there to serve others than to bring their important needs to our heavenly Father?

Take some time each day to pray for those around you. Maybe you have a friend struggling through a loss. Maybe you have a family member in need of healing. Bring those needs to the One who has the power to do and provide exactly what they need.

Not sure where to start with prayer? Become a Compassion prayer partner! There are so many children around the world who need someone to stand in the gap for them. By becoming a prayer partner, you’ll receive a prayer calendar in your inbox each month with daily needs to bring to God in prayer.

2. Share the Good News of the Gospel

Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and resurrection, we can have a right-now relationship with him and eternal life. Those around you who are unaware of this good news are missing the most important relationship they’d ever have.

One of the greatest acts of love and service we can show others is sharing the incredible news of Jesus with them. There are many ways to share the gospel, from posting your favorite Bible verse on social media to sharing your testimony of what God has done in your life.

3. Encourage Someone

Sometimes just a few encouraging words can brighten even the darkest situations. And it doesn’t have to be hard! See a mom struggling to keep her kids calm in the grocery store? Tell her she’s doing great. See a friend who’s down? Share what you love the most about them.

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) says, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Your kind words could help soothe those around you. Don’t be afraid to share them.

4. Help a Child in Need

In the parable we read together, Jesus calls out some pretty specific actions:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:35-36, NIV

Did you know that there are children around the world living in poverty who are hungry, thirsty and sick without someone to look after them? It’s true. But you can live out Matthew 25:40 by saying yes to helping these children in Jesus’ name.

One easy way to do just that is through child sponsorship. By sponsoring a child, you share the hope of Jesus with them by connecting them to a local church that cares for their critical needs. You’ll provide medical care, protection from abuse and exploitation, nutrition support and so many other necessities children need to thrive.

When children are cared for mind, body and soul, they’re empowered to leave poverty behind, inspiring their families and communities to do the same. By sponsoring a child, you’ll care for the least of these as Jesus commands all of us to do.

See How the Church Lives Out Matthew 25:40 in Peru

Twins Marcos and Isaac tragically lost their mother during childbirth. While their father, Honorato, and their sister, Ester Noemi, worked together to care for the twins, poverty made their lives difficult and painful.

Ester Noemi put her studies on hold to care for the twins as her father went to work. Honorato worked long hours as a farmer to care for his family. Even though he worked hours and hours a day, it wasn’t enough to fulfill the family’s needs, such as nutritious meals, especially with brand-new baby twins.

A local church in the family’s community saw their need and registered the boys in the Compassion Survival program. Through this program, the twins and their family received medical care, diapers, groceries, infant formula and emotional support. They also learned about Jesus’ love for them.

Now 6 years old, Marcos and Isaac are both sponsored and attend their church’s Compassion center each day. They love listening to the Bible stories they hear from their tutors and are filled with joy when they receive letters and gifts from their child sponsors.

Although Marcos and Isaac had a tragic start to their lives, Jesus had more in store for them. By living out Matthew 25:40, and with the help of the children’s sponsors, the local church brought loving support and lasting hope to the twins and their family.

“The [Compassion] center came during a tragic moment in our lives. They came to help and save us, so to speak. It brought us joy and gave us hope. We’re still working hard and slowly moving forward, and we are forever grateful to the boys’ sponsors and the church. It’s a great blessing.” — Ester Noemi

Remember: Whatever you do for those in need around you, you’re doing for our Savior, Jesus. Let this inspire you to live a life of love, serving others by following the example set in Matthew 25.