“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:40, ESV).
She’s a name-dropper.
The kind of woman who always needs the world to know which famous person liked her post or followed her on Instagram. She’s always at the important meetings, the ones where the people in charge see her. And she schedules lunches and coffee dates with people who can help advance her career.
We all know this woman. She’s our neighbor. Our co-worker. Our Bible study leader. She’s everywhere.
And maybe, at times, there’s a little bit of this woman in each of us.
The world tells us that in order to go higher, we must surround ourselves with people who will take us higher. But I see Jesus taking a different approach at times as I study His life in the Bible.
Jesus invested a lot of His time into the "least of these": the poor, the hungry, the broken, the weak — people who had absolutely nothing to offer Him. He always had a genuine concern and focus on people in need. And in Matthew 25:40, He says that when we serve “the least of these,” we serve Christ Himself:
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
If we are always surrounding ourselves with the “best of these,” how will we ever truly learn to love the least of these?
It’s an honest question to reflect on as we go about our days, make our schedules, and choose where to invest our energy. But I don’t really know if, in Jesus’ eyes, this concept of serving the least of these is optional.
Do I always get this right? Goodness, no.
My excuses for not serving those in need are shameful:
I’m too busy.
I already give so much.
I don’t have what they need.
I forgot.
God blesses us so that we may bless others. May we be compelled to take our eyes off ourselves, see those around us in need, and give whatever we have to bless them.
Here are three ways to do this today:
Spend time with someone who has nothing to give back to you.
Ask God if there’s anything you have in your possession that could bless someone else. Maybe it’s some clothes, food, or money … What can you give up to bless another?
Write a note of encouragement to someone who is down, sick, or weary. Tell her specific things you are praying for her life.
We don’t always need to be with the “best of the best.” There are opportunities to obey God and bear fruit if we will humble ourselves and become just a little bit more like Jesus by serving the least of these.
God, help us to see those in need today. May Your love overflow from us as we take steps to serve others more than ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What if the first thing God wants to change isn’t your circumstances? This week on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Oghosa Iyamu joins Melissa Taylor and Cailah Garcia for a hope-filled conversation about Ezekiel 37 and the powerful reminder that God's restoring work often begins long before our situation changes. If you’re walking through disappointment, waiting on unanswered prayers, or simply feeling weary, this episode will encourage you to lift your eyes from what’s broken to the God who brings life, hope, and restoration. Listen now, and discover how God meets you in the valley — and why His greatest work may already be happening.
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Hebrews 6:10, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (NIV).
1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (NIV).
Why do you think we are naturally drawn toward surrounding ourselves with “the best of the best”?
What is one thing you will do this week to focus on the “least of these”? Share it with us in the comment section today.
© 2026 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
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