Do-Gooders

June 24, 2020

Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Proverbs 3:27 GNT
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17 NLT

Every now and then you will hear in real life or in media a sarcastic or disparaging comment describing someone as a “goodie-two-shoes.” That description comes from a centuries-old nursery story about a poor girl with only one shoe who was rewarded for exceptionally good behavior with a second shoe. It seems to indicate that there’s something not quite right, something self-serving about doing good.

Jesus, the One we follow, was known for doing good. Acts 10:38 reports, “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good…” Doing good was the overflow of the Holy Spirit’s filling and power. It is the same for His followers today.

Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes that God’s plan for us was to do good and enjoy life, and that the two are inextricably connected. Here in Proverbs 3:27 Solomon tells us about how to do it. It’s not a sometime thing or a Boy Scout’s good deed for the day. It is a lifestyle that actually looks for people and situations to do good and make a difference.

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount directed His followers to even do good to people who hated them. He said it’s the way that people truly connected with God prioritize their lives (Matthew 5:44). His brother James took this way of life so seriously that he stated clearly: “Anyone who knows the good they could and should do, yet does not do it, is sinning” (James 4:17). The case for choosing to do good with my life is clear.

Strong encouragement for doing good is found in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God calls us His workmanship or His artwork, from the Greek word poiēma. We are something crafted, with skill and a purpose, by God, for His purposes. Specifically, we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." He created us to be do-gooders, to do good works. Good works do not give us salvation, but they are absolutely meant to be the result of salvation, and our investment in the salvation of others.

• Pray: God, You created me to do good. You did that FOR my good because You know that by doing good, I enjoy life the most. You say that You know the good works You have planned for me to do. Help me today to see the opportunities You place in my pathway to do good, and to do them with a willing heart. Amen.
• Make this a daily prayer until doing good is your natural way of life.