Good Deeds came naturally for the old timers. Even though there was no explicit commandment, Abraham served strangers; Lot would not allow strangers to stay in the Town Square but gave them lodging and Rebekah drew water for foreigners and their camels. That is in the Book of Genesis. In Exodus God gave clear commands about treating the wrecks of humanity. During the time of the kings these commands were shelved and prophets were blowing their whistles. When Jesus came, He turned the attention of people towards unselfishly caring for their fellow men. The Apostles held on to the teachings of Jesus and taught others too not to neglect the poor. When early missionaries came to India they were horror-struck at the sight of devotees with iron, bored through their cheeks and tongue, immolation of widows, caste system, child marriages, lepers on the sidewalks, orphans wandering the streets and the blind begging. They educated the people, passed a law against widow burning, built Leprosaria, Orphanages, Blind Schools, Deaf and Dumb Schools and Old Age Homes – and preached the Good News. How do we evangelize? We preach and we preach and we preach! A dimension is missing in our ministry.
There are seven areas you need to consider to express Good Deeds. The standard we have to attain is in Luke 6:36, “Be kind, just as your Father is kind.” As we struggle on in these seven areas of our life, let us have our eyes on the Father to imitate Him.
“… well known for her GOOD DEEDS, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of GOOD DEEDS” (1 Tim 5:10).
In one verse, Good Works is mentioned twice and the context is family. We will not consider bringing up children as Good Deeds but the Bible labels it so. The root of Good Deeds is in the family.
In 1 Timothy 2:10 also we read: “...GOOD DEEDS, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” That is also in the family context.
Not just women, men are equally responsible for Good Deeds in the family. In these days of jam-packed jobs of both husband and wife, it is important that we devote the rest of the time for the family. If we come home and sit before the TV or Computer, children are sure to be neglected.
Parents and Children
Ephesians 6:3 tells us not to irritate our children by over-correcting them but to take them by the hand and lead them gently in godly ways. Sit with your love-deficient children and ask them how you irritate them. Give them freedom of expression. Then try to change your ways. This is critical. If Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, favour with God and man, it is because parents took time to impart wisdom by teaching what is good and what is bad. If He had a good physique it is because parents taught Him to eat the right kind of food. Children must be taught the Bible thoroughly. They must be trained in social niceties. Teach your kids to get up and greet guests. That goes a long way in your children finding favour with men.
Do good to your children by showing love and appreciation. Reading about Cornelius, we note that he kept his family close to himself and God (Acts 10:2, 24,27).
Husbands and Wives
In Proverbs 31:12 we read of the wife that she DOES GOOD to her husband all through her life. In Ephesians chapter 5, Paul writes three verses for wives, admonishing them to submit to their husbands. But he needed nine verses to convince the husbands that they ought to love their wives. What is the kind of love he recommends? Just as Christ! What is this Christ-like love? Come to Luke 6:27-36: “DO GOOD to those who hate you” (V27). You don’t have to go too far to find those who hate you. They are right within the home. In many homes children hate their parents and vice-versa. Spouses hate one another. They go to church, or even for ministry; but a hatred smoulders inside. There is ‘No love’ is the complaint we often hear.
I would like to give a glimpse of the story of “FIREPROOF.” Caleb and his wife are at loggerheads. His father wants 40 days after which he says they can go for divorce. He gives him a diary to follow for 40 days. Caleb reluctantly agrees and follows the diary.
The first day says he should prepare coffee for his wife. He prepares hot coffee which she pours into the sink. The second day he keeps beautiful flowers with a love note. She tears the note and throws in the dust bin. One day he prepares an elaborate candle light dinner and waits for her. She enters the home and says she is not hungry and goes to her room. Another day he calls her mobile and says he just wanted to find how she was doing. She starts thinking but resists all his efforts to win her over. She gives him the divorce papers. He is shattered and cries. He phones his father to say there was no use doing all that; she was ungrateful; he kept giving and got nothing back.
His father pleads, “Only forty days.” So he continues. Then she becomes sick and takes to bed. He gives her warm compresses, prepares a hot drink and brings her tablet. Then he kneels down beside her bed and apologizes for the way he treated her. Then he goes out of the room. She cries. One day she visits her parents and finds her paralytic mother sitting in an expensive wheel chair. “When did you get this?” she squeals and her father replies, “Didn’t you know? It is Caleb’s gift.” She is shocked. She goes to his office and gets reconciled. Divorce forgotten!
The movie is one with real emotional underpinnings and worth watching.
What is love? It is loving in spite of everything. If you are not good at home, don’t act good outside. Don’t mind the other person’s reaction, you keep doing good. “Trust in the Lord and DO GOOD” (Psa 37:3). God tells Hosea to buy his wife, a woman of ill repute, bring her back and love her. Bringing her back is no big deal; but to love her, needs the love of God poured out into his heart by the Holy Spirit. That’s how Christ loved the church and that’s how God wants you to love one another.
“Love your enemies,” taught Jesus. Is your mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law or father-in-law your enemy? Keep on doing good to them. Don’t lower your standard to the other’s standard. Jesus called His disciples “Friends.” That relationship did not change when Judas betrayed Him. He was still His friend. If Jesus had expressed His displeasure to Judas He would have lowered His standard to that of Judas. But He refused to come down from the pedestal of Christian virtues. Your family members must remain “Friends” whatever they may do to you.
“Love your enemies, DO GOOD to them ... He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be kind, just as your Father is kind” (Lk 6:35-36).
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around DOING GOOD ” (Act 10:38).
When you read about the anointing in Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind; to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,” you will find, inbetween the proclamation of the Good news in the beginning and end is sandwitched a variety of good deeds. But what do we do? We go to a village with a megaphone and start shouting the Good news. There comes a polio victim crawling on all fours and we tell him to accept Jesus as his Savior. Very good. But if all the members pool in some funds and buy this man a wheel chair, the message will have a greater impact on the village.
When Jesus and His team went to Gerasenes, they were met by a naked man, possessed with many evil spirits and who lived in tombs. Jesus healed that man. What did people see first? He was dressed! Wherefrom did he get a dress in that lonely place? Jesus and His disciples must have spared some cloaks (Lk 8: 27,35). Thabitha’s main ministry was helping widows (Acts 9:37).
A question was raised whether it was right to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus affirmed, “Yes, it is lawful to DO GOOD on the Sabbath” (Mt 12:12). Jesus was not sleeping lazily on Sabbath days. He was doing good. The early believers were not selling their property to provide sofa sets or TV to others but basic needs like housing, dress and food were met (Acts 4:32). The instruction given to evangelists when they were sent out was, “Remember the poor” and Paul was eager to do it (Gal 2:10). In Acts 6:1-4 we read how the widows were taken care of “daily” by the church. In Israel poverty was a reality (Mt 26:11). Jesus’ team had a money bag from which the poor were helped (Jn 13:29). Do we have a bag like that?
Paul and his team stayed with Philip’s family for “many days” (Acts 21: 8-10). Imagine taking care of a team for a number of days! Will you do it ? We are immersed in our own world and have no space for others. Ministry exploded in the first century by the sacrificial service of believers. Paul had visitors too who were also taken care of. How many things happened within those four walls! Agabu comes and prophesies, etc, etc! No wonder the kingdom of God grew by leaps and bounds. That is Good Deeds in ministry. Their absolute dedication leaves us gasping.
“Rulers are not a terror to GOOD WORKS, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? DO WHAT IS GOOD, and you will have praise from the same” (Rom 13:3).
Why would your superiors bother you if you are excellent in your job ? John the Baptist was still more focused. He said: “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce GOOD FRUIT will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Lk 3:9). “What should we do then?” IT officials asked. “No more extortion – Collect only what is legally required,” was his answer. Then the Police Department came with the same question. “Don’t take bribes and accuse people falsely. Be happy with your salary,” he said.
Do you remember a tree thus smashed down? Nebuchadnezzar! He was a mighty tree, visible from the four corners of the earth, giving shelter to all kinds of animals and birds (Dan 4) . A warning was given that he would be chopped down. Daniel’s bold advice to the king was that he should make a clean break with his sins and start living for others; to quit his wicked life and look after the needs of the down-and-out. What does this tell us? The king was leading a sinful wicked life. God had entrusted him with a great job – to take care of the people. But he had neglected the poor. He was not faithful in his job. One year time was given and then he was lopped off. Is this how casually we take God’s warnings? Zaccheus was doing exactly what John the Baptist told the tax collectors not to do — squeezing the most out of his clients . He went to great lengths to cast off the stigma by giving half of his wealth to the poor and four times the money he cheated out of somebody.
Be a testimony where you work. You must be skilled in your job (Pro 22:29). Develop your skills and shine. Are you using your office time or telephone or things for your personal use? Do you arrive ten minutes late and leave ten minutes early? Instead, try arriving 10 minutes early and leaving 10 minutes late. Levi invited a large number of tax-collectors for the party he gave in honour of Jesus. That shows the testimony he had in his tax booth (Lk 5:29). “Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you are really serving God. GOOD WORK will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free” (Eph 6: 6-8 — The Message).
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your GOOD DEEDS and glorify God on the day He visits us” (I Peter 2:12).We are surrounded by Gentiles who keep criticizing us. How to tell them about the living God? Easy. Keep doing good things and they will glorify God on the day of visitation. Isn’t that what Jesus said? “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your GOOD DEEDS and praise your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). Once Mother Theresa spoke to American Diplomats in the presence of Mr. Bill Clinton. She thrashed America for their policy on abortion. She gave them left and right and sat down. A hush fell on the audience as the then President Clinton took the mike. He simply said, “I have nothing to say against a life so well lived.”
Who are pagans? They are our shop keepers, tailors, auto drivers, neighbors, servants, doby, beggars, milk-man, ironing man …. I heard a beautiful testimony. Our retired missionary Paul Dhinakaran and his wife Ruvalya settled down in Vellore. Their son got married last year in a town 25 km from Vellore. What is interesting is that their grocery shop man, tailor, neighbors clothshop-owner, milk man, doby, teachers, Engineers, a Navy man—all non Christians and 15 moslems travelled all the distance to attend their son’s wedding. I was dumbfounded when I heard that. That is how we shimmer where we are.
Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your action will refute their prejudices. Then they will be won over to God’s side and be there to join us in the celebration when He arrives (1 Pet 2:12 – The Message). Let us DO GOOD to all (Gal 6:10).
There is a knock at your door quite late in the day and you find a woman about to deliver a child, begging you to give her some place. What do you do? You have a car shed, backyard, guest room, terrace... An ugly frown crosses your face. But a man allowed her to stay in his manger. Thus Christ was born! “Never walk away from someone who deserves help. Your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor, ‘Maybe some other time’ or, ‘Try me tomorrow,’ when the money is right there in your pocket (Pro 3:27,28 – The Message). That is what James says: “Anyone, then, who knows the GOOD he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (4:17). That is what we call as the sin of omission. Hebrews 13:15,16 talks about DOING GOOD and sharing what we have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship – a different kind of “sacrifice” that takes place in kitchen and work place and on the streets (The Message). That means a sacrifice of our time, energy and money.
The author of Hebrews encourages us to consider how we may spark ideas in others toward love and GOOD DEEDS and expect others to chip in (10:24). In Luke 5:20, we read that Jesus “saw” their faith and healed a man. How could he “see” something as abstract as faith? By their good works – the act of carrying their friend to Jesus on a cot. This is exactly what James says in 2:14-26: “...Faith by itself , if it is not accompanied by action, is dead .. Show me your faith without DEEDS and I will show you my faith by what I DO.”
Malachi charged Israel for making God tired with their talk. “How did we tire Him?” they asked. God’s answer was that they exploited workers, took advantage of widows and orphans and deprived aliens of justice (2:17; 3:5). Let us be “do-gooders” in all our day-to-day activities.
“Let us not become weary in DOING GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us DO GOOD to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal 6: 9,10).
Jesus saw the rich putting their offerings in the offering box. How did He know they were rich ? By their bulk, head held high, sporting gold jewels. Who is rich ? Those who eat three meals a day and complain about the food. I guess Jesus was thinking, “ Man, did you see who is behind you in the queue ? Did you notice that skin and bone lady with a weather beaten face wrapped up in rags ? You know she’s a widow, a member of your church and her entire property is two copper coins. She has no bank account or FD or ATM card. She does not know what she’d do for her next meal. If you give your money to her, it will come straight to Me. Did you people take the initiative to emancipate her? Did you ever visit her to see where she was living or had anything in the pot or if she had paid her children’s school fees?” No one ever cared for her in the bleakness of her life (Lk 21:1; Mt 25:40).
Dear people of God, why should our children play with electronic toys when a member in our church is not able to pay the school fees for the children ? I have seen Christian beggars. It is an insult to Christians to let a fellow Christian beg. Believers of Macedonia and Achaia contributed to the poor saints in Jerusalem (Rom 15: 25,26). In spite of equal distribution during Pentecost there was poverty among the saints when famine fell. What is the blessing of supporting the saints? “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every GOOD WORK” (2 Cor 9:8). Giving does not deprive you of anything; it only adds more and more to you.
James says that showing favoritism in the church to the rich is insulting the poor (2:1-4).
Talking about good deeds, it is not just the poor. A couple may be on the verge of splitting up, a wife might have had a miscarriage, a student who failed in the exam may be contemplating suicide, a mother struggling with a retarded child. Have a word and practical help for each. The year of Jubilee was to relieve the poor.
Something terrible happened in Nob. Saul ordered the guards at his side to kill the Lord’s priests. But the guards refused to do it. Imagine guards defying the king ! Don’t you think it is a valiant deed! (1 Sam 22:17).
“Why do you trouble the woman ? For she has done a GOOD WORK for Me” (Mt 26:10b KJV).
It was one years’ salary for the woman who poured the perfume on Jesus. Does this embolden you to give your one year salary to God? When you read about the rich young ruler, you think that fellow must have been a money monger and that’s why Jesus asked him to sell his all, give to the poor and come after Him. No, the clarion call to give up everything is for each believer. Come, I will show you —
Luke 14:33 – “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.” When Jesus spoke about calculating the cost before building a tower or considering the strength of the army before going for war, He was not teaching good planning. He was telling His audience to count the cost before becoming a disciple, because a disciple had to give up everything.
Luke 12:33 - “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”
Luke 21:3 – “She put in all she had.”
The call to give up, is for each of us. 99% of believers are not disciples !
In Luke 18:18 we meet a rich ruler. He was a good Christian, 99% good. But that was not enough. He lacked 1%. He had not poured out his wealth for God. God wanted that 1% he was holding back.
It is intriguing to read about the rich fool in Luke 12:16-33. Mind you, it was not a poor farmer’s land that produced bumper crops. This man was already rich, already had barns, and now he gets more. Instead of giving away the extra, he wanted that too. That is what Jesus condemned. He wanted to be richer, build bigger barns. Jesus concluded that, that was how it would be (stupid) with anyone who stored up things for himself but was not rich toward God. Jesus continued His speech saying the birds did not have barns, yet God fed them. He added, “Seek His kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I am coming to the point. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” We use this verse for all our selfish purposes. You know why Jesus said, ‘Do not be afraid’? Read the following verse – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted …” He told us not to be afraid to give up everything. Do you understand?
If you are holding a lot of property you lack one thing. You are not a wholesome Christian if you have not given your all to God. You may say it is family property. Do what you can do as an individual. Jesus did not sell His share as the eldest son, give to the poor and come away. He could have brought His share which would have been useful for His ministry. But He left all behind and stepped out trusting His Father.
What is our reaction to Jesus’ teachings?
1. The rich ruler became very sad (Lk 18:23).
2. The Pharisees who loved money sneered (Lk 16:14).
3. The widow gave up all (Lk 21:3).
The widow was the true disciple as per the eulogy of Jesus. How difficult it is for the rich to enter heaven ! But “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” If you are unable to pour out your precious perfume of riches on Jesus, get down on your knees and He will help you.
The rich ruler kept all the comm- andments from childhood, yet was going to hell! The Pharisees were soulwinners, yet going to hell! (Mt 23:15). Let us not take things easy. One who is not delivered from the clutches of riches is risking his soul and teeters on the edge of hell. If your salary is Rs. 10,000 and you get a hike of Rs. 2000, why not maintain the same simple lifestyle and give away the raise for God’s kingdom? If you take a huge loan for a swanky bungalow or car then how can you give anything to advance kingdom causes? Squash your tendency to run after the latest fad. Lead a simple life. We are leaving this place shortly. We have a mansion up in heaven.
Peter said, “We have left ALL we had to follow You” (Lk 18:28). A few years later people sold their possessions and kept the money at Peter’s feet!
Fear not little flock. Give up your all and inherit the kingdom (Lk 12:32). (Note the relationship between giving up and eternal life). The day Zaccheus was delivered from the grip of money, salvation came to his house. Money and salvation are linked. About the rich ruler the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved ?” Paul, in his first epistle to Timothy instructs him to tell the rich in the world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Also to tell them to go after GOD, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage – to DO GOOD, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they did that they would build a treasury that would last, gaining life that is truly life (1 Tim 6:17-19 — The Message). Here again money is linked to eternal life.
If you read Ecclesiastes 5:10 -20, you will be shaken up. In a nutshell, the message it conveys is this: We are brought nothing into this world and we are not going to take anything out of this world. So have it in mind – We must decrease and He must increase. Keep spending less and less on yourself and keep giving more and more for the enhancement of the Kingdom.
“Abraham replied: Son, remember that in your lifetime, you received your GOOD THINGS, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony” (Lk 16:25).
Maybe you are thinking, “I keep doing good all the time. But nothing good happens to me. All I have in my account is sorrow and tears.” Friend, wait. A time will come when you will enjoy all the good you want and more. So keep cool. Everybody is given an opportunity to enjoy all the good things – Either here or up there!
Maybe Lazarus was born to a beggar, lived as a beggar and died as a beggar. He was a believer and that’s how he went to Abraham’s bosom. He must have prayed for his poverty to be wiped off and sores to be healed. But God did not answer his prayers. Unfortunately there was no prosperity preacher to encourage him. A time came when all his sorrows were gone and he enjoyed everything to the full. Wait dear one, your GOOD is just round corner. ?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Good Deeds came naturally for the old timers. Even though there was no explicit commandment, Abraham served strangers; Lot would not allow strangers to stay in the Town Square but gave them lodging and Rebekah drew water for foreigners and their camels. That is in the Book of Genesis. In Exodus God gave clear commands about treating the wrecks of humanity. During the time of the kings these commands were shelved and prophets were blowing their whistles. When Jesus came, He turned the attention of people towards unselfishly caring for their fellow men. The Apostles held on to the teachings of Jesus and taught others too not to neglect the poor. When early missionaries came to India they were horror-struck at the sight of devotees with iron, bored through their cheeks and tongue, immolation of widows, caste system, child marriages, lepers on the sidewalks, orphans wandering the streets and the blind begging. They educated the people, passed a law against widow burning, built Leprosaria, Orphanages, Blind Schools, Deaf and Dumb Schools and Old Age Homes – and preached the Good News. How do we evangelize? We preach and we preach and we preach! A dimension is missing in our ministry.
There are seven areas you need to consider to express Good Deeds. The standard we have to attain is in Luke 6:36, “Be kind, just as your Father is kind.” As we struggle on in these seven areas of our life, let us have our eyes on the Father to imitate Him.
“… well known for her GOOD DEEDS, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of GOOD DEEDS” (1 Tim 5:10).
In one verse, Good Works is mentioned twice and the context is family. We will not consider bringing up children as Good Deeds but the Bible labels it so. The root of Good Deeds is in the family.
In 1 Timothy 2:10 also we read: “...GOOD DEEDS, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” That is also in the family context.
Not just women, men are equally responsible for Good Deeds in the family. In these days of jam-packed jobs of both husband and wife, it is important that we devote the rest of the time for the family. If we come home and sit before the TV or Computer, children are sure to be neglected.
Parents and Children
Ephesians 6:3 tells us not to irritate our children by over-correcting them but to take them by the hand and lead them gently in godly ways. Sit with your love-deficient children and ask them how you irritate them. Give them freedom of expression. Then try to change your ways. This is critical. If Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, favour with God and man, it is because parents took time to impart wisdom by teaching what is good and what is bad. If He had a good physique it is because parents taught Him to eat the right kind of food. Children must be taught the Bible thoroughly. They must be trained in social niceties. Teach your kids to get up and greet guests. That goes a long way in your children finding favour with men.
Do good to your children by showing love and appreciation. Reading about Cornelius, we note that he kept his family close to himself and God (Acts 10:2, 24,27).
Husbands and Wives
In Proverbs 31:12 we read of the wife that she DOES GOOD to her husband all through her life. In Ephesians chapter 5, Paul writes three verses for wives, admonishing them to submit to their husbands. But he needed nine verses to convince the husbands that they ought to love their wives. What is the kind of love he recommends? Just as Christ! What is this Christ-like love? Come to Luke 6:27-36: “DO GOOD to those who hate you” (V27). You don’t have to go too far to find those who hate you. They are right within the home. In many homes children hate their parents and vice-versa. Spouses hate one another. They go to church, or even for ministry; but a hatred smoulders inside. There is ‘No love’ is the complaint we often hear.
I would like to give a glimpse of the story of “FIREPROOF.” Caleb and his wife are at loggerheads. His father wants 40 days after which he says they can go for divorce. He gives him a diary to follow for 40 days. Caleb reluctantly agrees and follows the diary.
The first day says he should prepare coffee for his wife. He prepares hot coffee which she pours into the sink. The second day he keeps beautiful flowers with a love note. She tears the note and throws in the dust bin. One day he prepares an elaborate candle light dinner and waits for her. She enters the home and says she is not hungry and goes to her room. Another day he calls her mobile and says he just wanted to find how she was doing. She starts thinking but resists all his efforts to win her over. She gives him the divorce papers. He is shattered and cries. He phones his father to say there was no use doing all that; she was ungrateful; he kept giving and got nothing back.
His father pleads, “Only forty days.” So he continues. Then she becomes sick and takes to bed. He gives her warm compresses, prepares a hot drink and brings her tablet. Then he kneels down beside her bed and apologizes for the way he treated her. Then he goes out of the room. She cries. One day she visits her parents and finds her paralytic mother sitting in an expensive wheel chair. “When did you get this?” she squeals and her father replies, “Didn’t you know? It is Caleb’s gift.” She is shocked. She goes to his office and gets reconciled. Divorce forgotten!
The movie is one with real emotional underpinnings and worth watching.
What is love? It is loving in spite of everything. If you are not good at home, don’t act good outside. Don’t mind the other person’s reaction, you keep doing good. “Trust in the Lord and DO GOOD” (Psa 37:3). God tells Hosea to buy his wife, a woman of ill repute, bring her back and love her. Bringing her back is no big deal; but to love her, needs the love of God poured out into his heart by the Holy Spirit. That’s how Christ loved the church and that’s how God wants you to love one another.
“Love your enemies,” taught Jesus. Is your mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law or father-in-law your enemy? Keep on doing good to them. Don’t lower your standard to the other’s standard. Jesus called His disciples “Friends.” That relationship did not change when Judas betrayed Him. He was still His friend. If Jesus had expressed His displeasure to Judas He would have lowered His standard to that of Judas. But He refused to come down from the pedestal of Christian virtues. Your family members must remain “Friends” whatever they may do to you.
“Love your enemies, DO GOOD to them ... He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be kind, just as your Father is kind” (Lk 6:35-36).
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around DOING GOOD ” (Act 10:38).
When you read about the anointing in Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind; to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,” you will find, inbetween the proclamation of the Good news in the beginning and end is sandwitched a variety of good deeds. But what do we do? We go to a village with a megaphone and start shouting the Good news. There comes a polio victim crawling on all fours and we tell him to accept Jesus as his Savior. Very good. But if all the members pool in some funds and buy this man a wheel chair, the message will have a greater impact on the village.
When Jesus and His team went to Gerasenes, they were met by a naked man, possessed with many evil spirits and who lived in tombs. Jesus healed that man. What did people see first? He was dressed! Wherefrom did he get a dress in that lonely place? Jesus and His disciples must have spared some cloaks (Lk 8: 27,35). Thabitha’s main ministry was helping widows (Acts 9:37).
A question was raised whether it was right to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus affirmed, “Yes, it is lawful to DO GOOD on the Sabbath” (Mt 12:12). Jesus was not sleeping lazily on Sabbath days. He was doing good. The early believers were not selling their property to provide sofa sets or TV to others but basic needs like housing, dress and food were met (Acts 4:32). The instruction given to evangelists when they were sent out was, “Remember the poor” and Paul was eager to do it (Gal 2:10). In Acts 6:1-4 we read how the widows were taken care of “daily” by the church. In Israel poverty was a reality (Mt 26:11). Jesus’ team had a money bag from which the poor were helped (Jn 13:29). Do we have a bag like that?
Paul and his team stayed with Philip’s family for “many days” (Acts 21: 8-10). Imagine taking care of a team for a number of days! Will you do it ? We are immersed in our own world and have no space for others. Ministry exploded in the first century by the sacrificial service of believers. Paul had visitors too who were also taken care of. How many things happened within those four walls! Agabu comes and prophesies, etc, etc! No wonder the kingdom of God grew by leaps and bounds. That is Good Deeds in ministry. Their absolute dedication leaves us gasping.
“Rulers are not a terror to GOOD WORKS, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? DO WHAT IS GOOD, and you will have praise from the same” (Rom 13:3).
Why would your superiors bother you if you are excellent in your job ? John the Baptist was still more focused. He said: “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce GOOD FRUIT will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Lk 3:9). “What should we do then?” IT officials asked. “No more extortion – Collect only what is legally required,” was his answer. Then the Police Department came with the same question. “Don’t take bribes and accuse people falsely. Be happy with your salary,” he said.
Do you remember a tree thus smashed down? Nebuchadnezzar! He was a mighty tree, visible from the four corners of the earth, giving shelter to all kinds of animals and birds (Dan 4) . A warning was given that he would be chopped down. Daniel’s bold advice to the king was that he should make a clean break with his sins and start living for others; to quit his wicked life and look after the needs of the down-and-out. What does this tell us? The king was leading a sinful wicked life. God had entrusted him with a great job – to take care of the people. But he had neglected the poor. He was not faithful in his job. One year time was given and then he was lopped off. Is this how casually we take God’s warnings? Zaccheus was doing exactly what John the Baptist told the tax collectors not to do — squeezing the most out of his clients . He went to great lengths to cast off the stigma by giving half of his wealth to the poor and four times the money he cheated out of somebody.
Be a testimony where you work. You must be skilled in your job (Pro 22:29). Develop your skills and shine. Are you using your office time or telephone or things for your personal use? Do you arrive ten minutes late and leave ten minutes early? Instead, try arriving 10 minutes early and leaving 10 minutes late. Levi invited a large number of tax-collectors for the party he gave in honour of Jesus. That shows the testimony he had in his tax booth (Lk 5:29). “Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you are really serving God. GOOD WORK will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free” (Eph 6: 6-8 — The Message).
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your GOOD DEEDS and glorify God on the day He visits us” (I Peter 2:12).We are surrounded by Gentiles who keep criticizing us. How to tell them about the living God? Easy. Keep doing good things and they will glorify God on the day of visitation. Isn’t that what Jesus said? “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your GOOD DEEDS and praise your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). Once Mother Theresa spoke to American Diplomats in the presence of Mr. Bill Clinton. She thrashed America for their policy on abortion. She gave them left and right and sat down. A hush fell on the audience as the then President Clinton took the mike. He simply said, “I have nothing to say against a life so well lived.”
Who are pagans? They are our shop keepers, tailors, auto drivers, neighbors, servants, doby, beggars, milk-man, ironing man …. I heard a beautiful testimony. Our retired missionary Paul Dhinakaran and his wife Ruvalya settled down in Vellore. Their son got married last year in a town 25 km from Vellore. What is interesting is that their grocery shop man, tailor, neighbors clothshop-owner, milk man, doby, teachers, Engineers, a Navy man—all non Christians and 15 moslems travelled all the distance to attend their son’s wedding. I was dumbfounded when I heard that. That is how we shimmer where we are.
Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your action will refute their prejudices. Then they will be won over to God’s side and be there to join us in the celebration when He arrives (1 Pet 2:12 – The Message). Let us DO GOOD to all (Gal 6:10).
There is a knock at your door quite late in the day and you find a woman about to deliver a child, begging you to give her some place. What do you do? You have a car shed, backyard, guest room, terrace... An ugly frown crosses your face. But a man allowed her to stay in his manger. Thus Christ was born! “Never walk away from someone who deserves help. Your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor, ‘Maybe some other time’ or, ‘Try me tomorrow,’ when the money is right there in your pocket (Pro 3:27,28 – The Message). That is what James says: “Anyone, then, who knows the GOOD he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (4:17). That is what we call as the sin of omission. Hebrews 13:15,16 talks about DOING GOOD and sharing what we have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship – a different kind of “sacrifice” that takes place in kitchen and work place and on the streets (The Message). That means a sacrifice of our time, energy and money.
The author of Hebrews encourages us to consider how we may spark ideas in others toward love and GOOD DEEDS and expect others to chip in (10:24). In Luke 5:20, we read that Jesus “saw” their faith and healed a man. How could he “see” something as abstract as faith? By their good works – the act of carrying their friend to Jesus on a cot. This is exactly what James says in 2:14-26: “...Faith by itself , if it is not accompanied by action, is dead .. Show me your faith without DEEDS and I will show you my faith by what I DO.”
Malachi charged Israel for making God tired with their talk. “How did we tire Him?” they asked. God’s answer was that they exploited workers, took advantage of widows and orphans and deprived aliens of justice (2:17; 3:5). Let us be “do-gooders” in all our day-to-day activities.
“Let us not become weary in DOING GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us DO GOOD to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal 6: 9,10).
Jesus saw the rich putting their offerings in the offering box. How did He know they were rich ? By their bulk, head held high, sporting gold jewels. Who is rich ? Those who eat three meals a day and complain about the food. I guess Jesus was thinking, “ Man, did you see who is behind you in the queue ? Did you notice that skin and bone lady with a weather beaten face wrapped up in rags ? You know she’s a widow, a member of your church and her entire property is two copper coins. She has no bank account or FD or ATM card. She does not know what she’d do for her next meal. If you give your money to her, it will come straight to Me. Did you people take the initiative to emancipate her? Did you ever visit her to see where she was living or had anything in the pot or if she had paid her children’s school fees?” No one ever cared for her in the bleakness of her life (Lk 21:1; Mt 25:40).
Dear people of God, why should our children play with electronic toys when a member in our church is not able to pay the school fees for the children ? I have seen Christian beggars. It is an insult to Christians to let a fellow Christian beg. Believers of Macedonia and Achaia contributed to the poor saints in Jerusalem (Rom 15: 25,26). In spite of equal distribution during Pentecost there was poverty among the saints when famine fell. What is the blessing of supporting the saints? “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every GOOD WORK” (2 Cor 9:8). Giving does not deprive you of anything; it only adds more and more to you.
James says that showing favoritism in the church to the rich is insulting the poor (2:1-4).
Talking about good deeds, it is not just the poor. A couple may be on the verge of splitting up, a wife might have had a miscarriage, a student who failed in the exam may be contemplating suicide, a mother struggling with a retarded child. Have a word and practical help for each. The year of Jubilee was to relieve the poor.
Something terrible happened in Nob. Saul ordered the guards at his side to kill the Lord’s priests. But the guards refused to do it. Imagine guards defying the king ! Don’t you think it is a valiant deed! (1 Sam 22:17).
“Why do you trouble the woman ? For she has done a GOOD WORK for Me” (Mt 26:10b KJV).
It was one years’ salary for the woman who poured the perfume on Jesus. Does this embolden you to give your one year salary to God? When you read about the rich young ruler, you think that fellow must have been a money monger and that’s why Jesus asked him to sell his all, give to the poor and come after Him. No, the clarion call to give up everything is for each believer. Come, I will show you —
Luke 14:33 – “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.” When Jesus spoke about calculating the cost before building a tower or considering the strength of the army before going for war, He was not teaching good planning. He was telling His audience to count the cost before becoming a disciple, because a disciple had to give up everything.
Luke 12:33 - “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”
Luke 21:3 – “She put in all she had.”
The call to give up, is for each of us. 99% of believers are not disciples !
In Luke 18:18 we meet a rich ruler. He was a good Christian, 99% good. But that was not enough. He lacked 1%. He had not poured out his wealth for God. God wanted that 1% he was holding back.
It is intriguing to read about the rich fool in Luke 12:16-33. Mind you, it was not a poor farmer’s land that produced bumper crops. This man was already rich, already had barns, and now he gets more. Instead of giving away the extra, he wanted that too. That is what Jesus condemned. He wanted to be richer, build bigger barns. Jesus concluded that, that was how it would be (stupid) with anyone who stored up things for himself but was not rich toward God. Jesus continued His speech saying the birds did not have barns, yet God fed them. He added, “Seek His kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I am coming to the point. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” We use this verse for all our selfish purposes. You know why Jesus said, ‘Do not be afraid’? Read the following verse – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted …” He told us not to be afraid to give up everything. Do you understand?
If you are holding a lot of property you lack one thing. You are not a wholesome Christian if you have not given your all to God. You may say it is family property. Do what you can do as an individual. Jesus did not sell His share as the eldest son, give to the poor and come away. He could have brought His share which would have been useful for His ministry. But He left all behind and stepped out trusting His Father.
What is our reaction to Jesus’ teachings?
1. The rich ruler became very sad (Lk 18:23).
2. The Pharisees who loved money sneered (Lk 16:14).
3. The widow gave up all (Lk 21:3).
The widow was the true disciple as per the eulogy of Jesus. How difficult it is for the rich to enter heaven ! But “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” If you are unable to pour out your precious perfume of riches on Jesus, get down on your knees and He will help you.
The rich ruler kept all the comm- andments from childhood, yet was going to hell! The Pharisees were soulwinners, yet going to hell! (Mt 23:15). Let us not take things easy. One who is not delivered from the clutches of riches is risking his soul and teeters on the edge of hell. If your salary is Rs. 10,000 and you get a hike of Rs. 2000, why not maintain the same simple lifestyle and give away the raise for God’s kingdom? If you take a huge loan for a swanky bungalow or car then how can you give anything to advance kingdom causes? Squash your tendency to run after the latest fad. Lead a simple life. We are leaving this place shortly. We have a mansion up in heaven.
Peter said, “We have left ALL we had to follow You” (Lk 18:28). A few years later people sold their possessions and kept the money at Peter’s feet!
Fear not little flock. Give up your all and inherit the kingdom (Lk 12:32). (Note the relationship between giving up and eternal life). The day Zaccheus was delivered from the grip of money, salvation came to his house. Money and salvation are linked. About the rich ruler the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved ?” Paul, in his first epistle to Timothy instructs him to tell the rich in the world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Also to tell them to go after GOD, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage – to DO GOOD, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they did that they would build a treasury that would last, gaining life that is truly life (1 Tim 6:17-19 — The Message). Here again money is linked to eternal life.
If you read Ecclesiastes 5:10 -20, you will be shaken up. In a nutshell, the message it conveys is this: We are brought nothing into this world and we are not going to take anything out of this world. So have it in mind – We must decrease and He must increase. Keep spending less and less on yourself and keep giving more and more for the enhancement of the Kingdom.
“Abraham replied: Son, remember that in your lifetime, you received your GOOD THINGS, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony” (Lk 16:25).
Maybe you are thinking, “I keep doing good all the time. But nothing good happens to me. All I have in my account is sorrow and tears.” Friend, wait. A time will come when you will enjoy all the good you want and more. So keep cool. Everybody is given an opportunity to enjoy all the good things – Either here or up there!
Maybe Lazarus was born to a beggar, lived as a beggar and died as a beggar. He was a believer and that’s how he went to Abraham’s bosom. He must have prayed for his poverty to be wiped off and sores to be healed. But God did not answer his prayers. Unfortunately there was no prosperity preacher to encourage him. A time came when all his sorrows were gone and he enjoyed everything to the full. Wait dear one, your GOOD is just round corner. ?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
