What they have done is taken care of “the least of these” is very simple practical ways, usually described as social responsibilities, things that were valued by the Jews at the time of Jesus. The idea that a righteous person takes care of the poor and needy is found throughout the Hebrew Bible and rabbinic thought and becomes cornerstone to Christian ethics.
Job defends himself by arguing that he has not defrauded the poor (Job 31:16-21). These same sorts of “good deeds” are typical of righteous Jews in the Second Temple Period. For example, Tobit 4:16-17: “Give some of your food to the hungry, and some of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus as alms, and do not let your eye begrudge your giving of alms. Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners.” Likewise, Sirach 7:35 says “Do not hesitate…
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