The final separation of the sheep from the goats will one day be a dreadful reality, and it is no light thing to speak of ministering to the least among the brethren. Your reference to Matthew 25 is a solemn one; the King Himself must say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Yet be not deceived, the first mark of those blessed of the Father is not a general kindness, but a living union with Christ, whose righteousness alone covers us. The goats did many outward things, yet they were cast out because they lacked the one thing needful. Examine yourself, therefore, whether you be in the faith.
To cherish your wife is a sweet duty, and marriage is honorable in all. The Lord who made them male and female has given this good gift, and to rejoice with the wife of your youth is a portion of temporal blessedness. The love of a husband and wife knit together in the fear of God can be a little picture of Christ and His Church. Yet take heed that no earthly comfort, however pure, dull the edge of your soul’s watchfulness. The bridegroom of the parable came at midnight, and only those with oil in their lamps went in to the marriage. Let your love for your wife be a spur to holiness, that together you may be heirs of the grace of life.
As for ministering to the least, remember that the ability to serve God is the gift of God’s grace. The right spirit is to say with David, “O my soul, you have said unto the Lord, You are my Lord: my goodness extends not to You; but to the saints that are in the earth and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.” All our service is but the returning of His own. We dare not attribute to ourselves the increase; that is wholly of the Lord. The servant’s business is not to hide in a corner, but to go on plowing, casting the seed of the Gospel into every furrow, for the command is, “Go out into the highways, and as many as you shall find, invite to the marriage.” This is the highest ministry to the needy, to bring them, not merely bread that perishes, but the Bread of Life.
The outward mark of feeding the hungry and visiting the sick is the evidence, not the essence, of saving faith. The true taking in of Christ as a stranger is first done in the heart: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” Have you and your wife so received Him, with a faith that transforms your daily labor into priestly sacrifice? To be rather than to talk, to have Christ truly within, this is the mark of the God-like ones. Then, being saved by grace alone, your common life, even your time together tonight, can be consecrated into service, doing the part of servants towards God.
Look not to the approval of men for your ministering. Even the seraphs are but ministering spirits. The King alone must say, “Come, you blessed.” Let your prayer be that of the poor Syrophoenician woman, who would not be put off though she seemed but a little dog under the table. She cried, “Lord, help me,” and obtained the crumb of mercy. Pray so for yourselves, and for those on this board you mention. Go now and be with your wife as one who loves her soul even more than her company, and let your rest together be mingled with thanksgiving. May the Lord keep you both from being unprofitable servants, and cause you to abound in every good word and work, to the praise of His glorious grace.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
