The good works reader

Introduction

The purpose

The texts

The consensus established

The ancient Christian writers on good works

The evidence

Part one: The poor

"Come, o blessed of my Father"

"Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"

Where your treasure is

The law and the poor

The rich man and Lazarus

Relief for the needy

The fatherless

Protecting the widow

The gifts and hospitality of true widowhood

Overview of good works: Feeding, quenching, welcoming, clothing, relieving, and visiting

Part two: Food and hospitality

Feeding the hungry: "You gave me food"

The bread of life

Not by bread alone

Quenching thirst: "You gave me to drink"

At table with the Lord

Offering hospitality to the stranger: "You welcomed me"

Biblical models of hospitality

Clothing the naked: "You clothed me"

Sheltering refugees and displaced persons: "You took me in"

A place for the homeless: "He had no place to lay his head"

Nursing the sick: "You visited me"

Part three: Reaching out for the outcast

Touching the untouchables: Reaching out to the leper

Care for the handicapped: Enabling the deaf to hear

Enabling the disabled

Becoming as eyes to the blind: "You were as my eyes"

Loosening the tongues of the speechless: The demoniac set free

Binding up demonic powers

Uprooting addictions

Part four: The imprisoned and the persecuted

Visiting those in prison: "You came to me"

Witnessing in prison

Care for the persecuted: the martyrs' gift

Blessing persecutors

Absorbing hatred

Nothing can separate us

Part five: The least of these

The child

God works through human limitations

Works of mercy

Wise as serpents, harmless as doves

Put away bitterness

Learning empathy with the sufferer

Part six: Philanthropy

The difficulty of being rich

The stewardship of wealth

The love of money

Cheerful giving

The final judgment: "Depart from me"

Part seven: Deeds not words

Faith active in love

The timing of good works

Grace works through faith active in love

What faith does when faith is working

Reconciling James and Paul

Faith bears fruit

Summary review of classic Christian teaching on good works

Conclusion