Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 10 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down  /  Chapter 5, Changing Our View of Mammon  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 10
Jesus ties inheriting the Kingdom to feeding, clothing, sheltering, welcoming, and visiting “the least of these,” and Bercot says serving the poor is treated as “second-class ministry” among Bible-believers; what would have to change in your church’s priorities—and in your weekly schedule and budget—for this ministry to become “central,” not optional?
Another way to ask: If serving “the least of these” is central to inheriting the Kingdom, what would need to change in your church’s priorities? What would need to change in your weekly time and spending to make serving the poor a main focus instead of an extra?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s teaching, churches and individuals would need to treat practical mercy to the needy as a primary Kingdom obligation—planned for, budgeted for, and scheduled—rather than an extra activity behind “more spiritual” work. Personally, it would require reassigning time and money away from maintaining comfort and toward feeding, clothing, sheltering, and visiting those in need.

Support from Transcript:

  • Jesus’ Kingdom criterion is quoted: “I was hungry, and you gave me food… naked, and you clothed me… sick… in prison… you came to me.”
  • Bercot calls this money’s best use: “one good use… with eternal value: feeding, clothing, sheltering, and visiting.”
  • He insists it must be central: “these ministries to others need to be central to us, just as they are to Jesus.”
  • He rebukes church culture: serving the poor is seen as “second-class ministry,” but Jesus says it is “a prime determinant” of inheriting the Kingdom.
  • He urges schedule review: compare hours in “Kingdom interests” (including feeding/clothing the poor, visiting sick) versus hours earning/maintaining possessions.
Discussion Follow-ups What line items in your budget mainly protect a “comfortable lifestyle,” and what could be redirected? What recurring time blocks in your week could be set aside for the poor the same way you reserve time for work or hobbies?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10
Back Questions Done