With profound insight into the human heart, the Lord continues to draw parallels between the pride and selfishness revealed in our dealings with men on earth, and the sense we have of the kingdom of God in its true nature. Here he makes an assumption about the principled generosity that reflects the heart of God, then issues a warning about only inviting those like us, or whom we like, and being paid back in this world, with an encouragement to show Godlike generosity toward the truly needy, in the expectation of God's grace being poured out upon us in the world to come.