“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
(Hebrews 13:16)
There is no such reality as an isolated, selfish Christianity. God’s children are redeemed for purposes beyond just saving them hell. Once we are transformed from children of darkness to children of light, we are charged with the honor and responsibility to worship God with reverence and godly fear, along with shining the light of God’s love into our dark world. In other words, we are to be about doing good.
Good works – such as are outlined in the following passage – are outward proof of inner salvation: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by [good works] is dead. (James 2:14-17)
The earthly ministry of Christ was our perfect model for doing good. Further, Scripture consistently admonishes believers to “do good,” (James 2:14-26; Heb. 13:1-3, 16; 2 Thess. 3:13; Matt. 5:16; Gal. 6:9; Ps. 37:3; Eph. 2:10). Misery is the true, genuine, proper object of mercy, and in that not only our friends but even our enemies may be in misery, not only our friends but enemies are objects of mercy. We are to do good to prisoners, strangers, orphans, widows, poor distressed men of all kinds, and not only to them, but even to our enemies according to that of the Apostle, “Do good to all men.”
Further, when we do good to others we are, in essence, doing it “as to the Lord,” (Col. 3:23). While teaching about the final judgment in Matthew 25:35-40, Christ cites examples of good works that His saints will be rewarded for in the kingdom: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
In response, the righteous saints ask the King… “When did we do all these things?” And the King answers, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Our hearts are to be soft and our hands wide open to help meet the needs of others because of God’s gracious provisions to us through Christ. One who selfishly hoards and collects and saves and stockpiles – as opposed to freely sharing with those in need – is demonstrating a complete lack of faith in the God who “gives us richly all things to enjoy,” (1 Tim. 6:17; Matt. 6:25-28).
Bonaventure said, “God has given us talents, wealth, power, knowledge, and grace. Had he added but one more, the precious jewel of time, He would have given us a perfect inventory of all the goods that the steward is to be accountable for. Our gifts must be well employed, and our graces well improved, so that our goods may be well bestowed.”
Let us be like fountains, bubbling forth streams of charity and love to help quench the thirst of the needy. And let us be like the sun, sending forth light and liberality to warm those who are cold and comfortless… because “such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
- God, teach me to serve You without fear of my enemies in holiness and righteousness all my days. Establish my heart in Your love, that I may freely share that love with others, and not just in words, but in my behavior also. Teach me to love all – even my enemies – and to do good to all, as You have loved me and blessed me.
- Every day, Almighty God and heavenly Father, I pray that You will have mercy on me and keep me in Your grace, favor and love. Every day I give thanks to You, Lord Jesus, for Your gracious redemption of my body and soul from sin, death and hell. Every day will I praise Your holy Name, O Holy Spirit, for You are my heart’s joy and comforter.
- Lord, keep me patient, loving, meek, charitable, etc., like You, for You are my example, and Your Spirit is my guide, strength and comfort.
Further References for Hebrews 13:16
Phil. 4:18; Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 6:18; Ps. 37:3; Micah 6:7-8; Luke 6:35
