For while all wish to receive [mercy], only a few are willing to give it. Yes, there is mercy in heaven, but the road to it is paved by our merciful acts on earth. There is, therefore, an earthly as well as heavenly mercy, that is to say, a human and a divine mercy. Human mercy has compassion on the miseries of the poor. Divine mercy grants forgiveness of sins. Whatever human mercy bestows here on earth, divine mercy will return to us in our homeland. In this life God feels cold and hunger in all who are stricken with poverty.

What kind of people are we? When God gives, we wish to receive, but when he begs, we refuse to give. Remember it was Christ who said: “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat.” A poor person asks you for something; you ask God for something. The poor person begs for a morsel of food; you beg for eternal life. Give to the beggar so that you may merit to receive from Christ. It baffles me that you have the impudence to ask for what you do not want to give. Give when you come to church. Give to the poor. Give them whatever your resources will allow.

—Caesarius, Bishop of Arles (6th century), Sermon 25.1

If you read this through the lens of actions issuing forth from a heart filled with love and gratitude for what God has done for you in Christ, this will not read as a primer for works righteousness.