My favorite eleven-year-old boy in Bible class flashed me that ‘Guess what?’ smile right after he’d helped me set up for class. He had stopped at the top of the stairs just before leaving and I knew I was in for a good story. He whipped out his small New Testament and showed me that it had red letters for Jesus’ words. His face lit up with his story about finding little New Testaments at a dollar store in town, saying he was happy that now many people could buy one.  He, himself,  had bought this one with his own money. That made my teacher’s heart leap, but that was only the beginning of his happy story.  Recently, one of the four-year-old boys in our class had noticed the older boy’s tiny white book with an almost leather cover and was smitten. So when he was able, the older boy went back to the store and bought another New Testament with his own money. This time the cover was a ‘cool, boy black’ to please the younger boy. He had written the child’s name inside and had given it to him that morning.  A few minutes later, when I joined the adults before church started the four-year-old was showing everyone his new Bible. His eyes twinkled with pride and joy and he had a million dollar smile. Dear Husband couldn’t stop grinning except that there was little moisture in the corners of his eyes. I can’t count how many people were happier that morning because of those two boys. And I’m guessing the number is increasing as you read this!

“. . . whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10

Do good to everyone- strangers, store clerks, friends, service providers, family, face-to-face, on the internet, on the phone. And especially to other believers. Every time the opportunity presents itself. Small gestures like holding the door and smiling at a stranger, saying thank you and meaning it, taking a few minutes to notice an older person, or give a complement to a young mom with busy littles, feeding someone who drops by and just needs a dose of friendship, answering the phone when it isn’t convenient because someone needs a listening ear. Every day presents opportunities to care… if we bother to notice needs. It’s often not flashy, and rarely noticed by many, but your heavenly Father notices and rewards.

Think of some of the Old Testament prophets. They were important men, yet they took notice and did kind deeds as circumstances presented themselves. Three chapters in 2 Kings records the personal kindnesses of Elisha, the prophet of God. The first instance is in the fourth chapter of 2 Kings.  A young, destitute widow was in distress. Her deceased husband had been a member of a group of men who lived in a learning community Elisha taught. I think of it as a Bible school. The students lived in close proximity and at least some of them ate meals together and were mentored by Elisha . The young widow had been left with no money and two boys to raise and her debts had piled up. The prophet Elisha provided for her as a kinsman would have. He used God’s power to provide her oil to sell to pay her debts, rescue her boys from debtor’s slavery, with enough left over to live on.

On two occasions he provided a meal for the group of about 100 prophets studying under him. On another occasion, one of his students was using a borrowed ax to cut down trees to make a bigger building for the school. But the ax head flew off the handle and landed in the river. The student didn’t have the money to replace the tool. So Elisha miraculously made it float so the young man could retrieve it. These four acts provided for those who didn’t have the financial means to provide for themselves.

We often think of good deeds only in terms of helping the less fortunate. Yet the prophet also did good deeds for the wealthy. He felt pity for the rich, but childless Shunamite woman by prophesying God’s intention to give her what she didn’t have – a son to love. Years later, when the boy died suddenly, Elisha was God’s instrument to bring the boy back to life.  He also had pity on a famous enemy commander who received healing because of his humility and obedience.  The Bible doesn’t stipulate that we help only the poor, or only our friends. We’re to do good to all as we have the opportunity.

Also notice that these good deeds weren’t done in human strength. Not one of us is good enough or nice enough or powerful enough to do good deeds every time the opportunity arises. We must depend on God’s Spirit to do what we can’t. We will never have unfailing compassion. We will never have the power to meet every need we see. We are no match for the devil, or even our own selfishness and laziness. We are given a superhuman assignment. It will take supernatural power to do good deeds on every occasion. We must follow the example of our Master who was enabled by God’s Spirit to do God’s work.

“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”  Acts 10:38

It’s interesting that twice we are told not to tire of doing good. Helping others is work and it can be exhausting and frustrating. But we’re told to keep doing good and not give up probably because doing good is usually serving in mundane, small ways. It’s rarely flashy- even Elisha did good deeds without a big audience or a lot of fanfare.  We know that the first place we should do good is at home for our families and that is just day to day work taking care of little and big humans who have faults.  We should also be serving at home with hospitality to those who need refreshing and friendship.  Our service at home and in the community is noticed by God and rewarded.

“. . .  is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”  1 Timothy 5:8,10

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

“Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.” Titus 3:13-14

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. . .All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.” Acts 9:36,39

Doing Good

~ Serve your family
~ Be aware of the needs of others whether it’s financial or otherwise
~ Meet the needs of others by God’s power
~ Don’t give up helping
~ Help with what you have, even if it’s small
~ Remember that God will bless you!
P.S. I can’t wait to see God’s blessing on the eleven-year-old giver!