"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

The Bible is so gritty with the dirty things of real life, and I love it. John advised his congregation in the verse before that they should be prepared to die for one another. In principle, that makes sense, especially if you don't believe it will ever be required. But this passage makes the implementation of that idea a daily reality: If someone in your church is in need, then feel inspired to assist them; that is what it means to lay down your life!