Doing Good, Giving And Sharing

-November 4, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.”

(1 Timothy 6:18).

Christianity is all about doing good and helping others. Paul tells us to do good and be rich in good works. We don’t do it to be saved but as result of our salvation. God has been good to us and we should be good to others. In so doing, he urges us to be “ready to give and willing to share.” Both speak of our attitude as well as our actions.

• Ready to give – If there is a need, we should be ready to give. There are always people in need just as there were in biblical times. When Judas saw the extravagant gift that Mary of Bethany poured out on Jesus, her fragrant perfume valued at three hundred denarii (a year’s worth of wages), he asked the question, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? He said that not because he cared for the poor but wanted to take what was in the money box. Jesus told him to leave her alone because she kept it for the day of his burial. Then He made the statement, “The poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (See John 12:1-7).

No one had to tell Mary to give the perfume she had kept for the day on her wedding, she did so on her own. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Mary was definitely a cheerful giver. Paul said in Acts 20:7, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is better to give than to receive.’” Though these words are not found any of the four gospels, Jesus had said them. It was likely disseminated among the early Christians.

• Willing to share – When God blesses us with abundance, we should be willing to share it with others. We don’t need to be rich to give, but must have hearts full of generosity. 1 John 3:17 says, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Love prompts giving, and giving is the result of God’s giving to us.

In Luke 3:11, John the Baptist said, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Sharing with others is what we teach our kids, which is great, but we need to remember this ourselves also. Sharing is caring.

May the Lord help us to do good, being rich in good works. We will then be ready to give and willing to share. God is the greatest giver and we should follow His example.

Have a blessed day of going good, giving and sharing with others. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean