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James 2:15-17
15 If [ean] [de] a brother [adelphos] or [e] sister [adelphe] be [huparcho] naked [gumnos], and [kai] destitute [leipo] [o] of daily [ephemeros] food [trophe],
16 And [de] one [tis] of [ek] you [humon] say [epo] unto them [autos], Depart [hupago] in [en] peace [eirene], be ye warmed [thermaino] and [kai] filled [chortazo]; notwithstanding [de] ye give [didomi] them [autos] not [me] those things which are needful [epitedeios] to the body [soma]; what [tis] doth it profit [ophelos]?
17 Even [kai] so [houto] faith [pistis], if [ean me] it hath [echo] not [ean me] works [ergon], is [esti] dead [nekros], being alone [kata] [heautou]. KJV-Interlinear
15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. NASB
Doing nothing in life, gets you nothing. That is the long and short explanation of the principle in this verse.
If some one is in need and you give them nothing, if there are charity needs in the world, and you do nothing to contribute, if there is a need to support the teaching of the Word of God, and you do nothing, then what is it that you do that will help any of these?
Doing nothing is not an answer, and not an alternative to fulfilling your daily spiritual obligations.
God knows all of your personal needs and desires, but then God also has given you obligations in life. To whom much is given (the entire realm of your spiritual life, which is infinite), then much is expected.
Too often, people will make up excuses, or turn their attentions elsewhere. They do not help because they are selfish, reasoning that the recipient does not really need their support, can get their support from somewhere else, that there are more than enough public services, or other people that will take up for your slack.
After all, no one is giving you anything, so why should you share your hard earned (and limited) money or resources?
God does not make us all millionaires, and God does not expect all of us to give in the millions. Giving aid or support with what little we have, is not a function of quantity, but of attitude.
Selfishness and greed put up barriers, over which we can easily find excuses, to not be responsible. It matters not if the person standing on the corner is wealthy and just trying to scam the public. God will deal with him in an appropriate fashion. Our obligation is to help those in need, to support those functions that we know require it, and not question their need or available resources.
We always have an underlying presumption that our gift of support will be handled appropriately and as God intends. We never give with strings attached. We never support with a right to examine where the dollars go. That is arrogance. Judging is never our right.
But the lesson here is your faith. Will you say all of the right things, but do nothing, or will your words, be fulfilled with deeds?
In James' example here, the people in need, who have poor clothing and from all appearances have a genuine need, do not need words to help them, but clothing, food, and money. To tell someone to 'Go with God, an be warmed by that thought.' is the quintessence of arrogance and rudeness.
Your faith is given just as much help and credit, as your 'nothing' gift to those folks.
Faith, or spiritual growth, must be accompanied with spiritual deeds. Otherwise, you have no growth.
And by the way, you can apply this principle to all of the obligations, which God places on you, beginning with your daily Bible study obligation. Growth is accompanied by obedience to Gods mandates.
The three fundamental components of the spiritual life are - fellowship through confession, daily study, and application to ones daily life.
