First, we must be then we are expected to do.
Underscoring that oblique statement is the comment the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthian church ( 1 Cor 3:10 – 14) where he talks about building on the proper foundation. It seems to me, he is saying that we can do all sorts of charitable acts and make all sorts of good efforts, but if we aren’t followers of Jesus, changed into his image and having the motive of love, no matter what we do, it will be counted as worthless and will have been in vain.