12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:12-14 KJV)
Invite the Poor to your Feast
One Sabbath, when Jesus was invited to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he took the opportunity to correct the host for inviting only the wealthy—people who could afford their own fine meals—when he could have instead invited the poor, or at least shared portions with those in need, like in Nehemiah 8:10. Jesus taught that using resources for charity is more worthwhile than spending them on lavish hospitality.
“Don’t aim to entertain the rich—your friends, relatives, and neighbors who are well-off” (Luke 14:12). This doesn’t forbid inviting them altogether; such gatherings may serve to maintain relationships. But:
Don’t make it a habit. Spending less in that area allows more to be spent on helping others. One feast for the wealthy could provide many meals for the poor. Solomon says, “He who gives to the rich will surely come to poverty” (Proverbs 22:16). Pliny said, “Give to your friends—but let them be poor friends, not those who don’t need you.”
Don’t be proud about it. Some host banquets just to show off, like Ahasuerus did (Esther 1:3-4), thinking it’s only prestigious if they entertain important people, often at their family’s expense.
Don’t expect to be paid back. That’s what Jesus rebukes. Many host elaborate meals hoping to be invited in return, enjoying the same delicacies later. But in the end, it just feeds their appetite and vanity, with no true gain.
Instead, “When you host a feast, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind” (Luke 14:13-14). Serve simple, nourishing food that isn’t expensive, and invite those who can’t afford to eat well or work for a living. These are the people who truly need help. They may not repay you in money, but they’ll thank God for you. While the rich may criticize your offerings, the poor will appreciate them. Don’t feel like you’ve lost something because they can’t repay you—your investment is in the safest place, with the highest return, for “you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
There will be a resurrection of the righteous—a future state of blessing for them. Works of charity may not bring reward in this life, because earthly things aren’t the best things. But they will not go unrewarded. They’ll be repaid in the resurrection. The longest voyages bring the richest returns. The charitable will never be losers, only great gainers, when their reward is delayed until the resurrection.