Lenten Devotion – Do Good To Others
Day 10, 24 February 2024
“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
Paul begins by teaching these Christians to share all good things with the one who teaches the gospel. There are many places in the scriptures where we see the apostle Paul needing to tell Christians that they should financially support teachers of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:9-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). But notice how Paul pictures this. He does not want to paint this as a duty. Instead, Paul describes this as an opportunity for sharing.
I remember helping a pastoral staff to paint his new flat as a young undergraduate. We didn’t have much money then, and the pastor had drawn out almost all his savings from his ATM to buy the paints and brushes required. Painting the whole flat was tough, but there was so much joy and love as we painted it together. I learnt an important lesson about carrying each other’s burdens and doing good to others.
Not only must we do good toward those who teach the gospel, but we must do good to all people, especially our brothers and sisters-in-Christ (6:10). The motivation is given to us: in due season, we will reap a reward. Our sacrifices and our generosity are not for nothing. Put this another way: the reason we do good is because we are doing it for God. We are choosing to sow in the spiritual field. We are not doing this because the other person deserves it. We are not doing this because we expect something in return from them. We are doing good for the Lord. This is precisely what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 25:31-46. What we do to others is what we are doing to the Lord.
In this period of Lent, let us take this opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to direct us to those who need our help and generosity (time, labour, visitation, finances, etc.). May God grant us the courage and initiative to make the first move.
Do Good!
David Tey