For the Gospel does not tell you to allow your neighbor to suffer in poverty. The whole Gospel leads you to notice your neighbor and show mercy to him, to help him and advise him as God has helped you. An orthodox faith also does this. This faith goes out and does for others as God has done for the believer and as he would have someone do unto him if he is stuck in poverty, anxiety and need. God does not need our good works or our prayers or fasting… But concerning our works God tells us that they belong down here on earth for our neighbor, for the poor, miserable, desperate people whom we shall help, whom we shall comfort, teach and advise.
The One Who Showed Mercy by Christopher Koelle
Festival Sermons of Martin Luther – The Church Postils, translated by Joel Baseley, Dearborn Michigan: Mark V Publications, 2005, pp. 60-61.
