Do Good

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 NIV

In the early 1980s, I was a salesperson in the electronics department at JC Penney. A farmer came in one Christmas wearing his muddy bib overalls and boots. Having worked a long day, he also didn't smell all that pleasant. My associates, figuring it would be a waste of time, conveniently found other urgent tasks requiring attention. After the initial sales opener, I learned the gentleman was interested in purchasing a microwave. Now, you can go to any big box store and buy one for around $100, but in the 1980s, they were still new and expensive. After answering his questions and walking through the features of each, he made a selection. As I was writing up the invoice, he told me he wanted to buy three as gifts, totaling $1200 and earning me a nice 10% commission. This experience taught me two great lessons: first, not to judge people by appearance, and second, not to be bashful in responding to opportunities.

Today's verse encourages us to use opportunities to do good for everyone but not to forget our fellow Christians. Sometimes, in our zeal to do good for others, we may forget to care for those journeying with us in faith. We are to do good for all people.

For Methodists, you may be familiar with a short book by United Methodist Bishop Reben P. Job, Three Simple Rules, A Wesleyan Way of Living, which interprets John Wesley's General Rules. One of these rules is to "Do Good." He says, "Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can." 

Sometimes, we may opt out of opportunities because we're fearful or apathetic or think the good we do will do little to help. Worst case, we become like the Oscar Wilde quote, "A pessimist is somebody who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks." God help us from becoming immune to the knocking. 

We should do whatever good we can. It doesn't have to be a great thing, but a little kindness. To a thirsty person, a bottle of water is a great gift, and a clean, dry pair of socks is greatly appreciated by someone living on the streets. For our family of believers, that telephone call, that card, sitting with them, holding their hand in prayer is a gift beyond measure.

Also, in doing good to others, we are helping ourselves. We receive joy and fulfillment by demonstrating Christ's kingdom on earth. 

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for opportunities to do good. Each day, you give us the privilege of demonstrating your love to others. Please help us to seize the opportunities with enthusiasm as they arise. Help us to overcome our fears, uncertainty, and pessimism so that we may be your witness to the world. Remind us not to forget our brothers and sisters in Christ as we are doing good -- the "ALL" also includes them. In the mighty name of your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

Please let me know if you want a copy of Three Simple Rules, A Wesleyan Way of Living.