Do Good
How does God behave towards us and others? How do we do good like Jesus does? How can we develop a generous heart?
What does the Bible say about doing good? -
- Jesus shows kindness - Luke 7v11-15
- The Father is good - Matthew 7v9-12
- Motives for good - Matthew 5v43-6v4
- Generous Spirit - Galatians 6v7-10
Jesus shows kindness
Luke 7v11-15
Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How do you see Jesus showing kindness?
- What attitude do you see in Jesus as he does this?
Thoughts to consider
A childless widow would have been the least prestigious or powerful person of her society. So, Jesus is diverting from his schedule to show kindness here with no possibility of personal benefit.
The Father is good
Matthew 7v9-12
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What is God’s motivation for giving gifts to people?
- How does Jesus go on to say we can do good for others?
Thoughts to consider
Jesus speaks of our heavenly Father’s generosity and prompts us to be generous as he is. It is worth thinking about how our Father has been generous to you and how you have responded to him.
Motives for good
Matthew 5v43 - 6v4
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What attitudes does Jesus look for when we are considering doing good things for others?
- Why would our Father in heaven do good things for those who hate him?
- How can you extend God’s goodness to others?
Thoughts to consider
It is a challenge to our faith that the Lord God will protect us and cover us as we do good. It certainly expresses our love for God over our love for the money, time or emotional capital that we give.
Generous Spirit
Galatians 6:7-10
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 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. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What attitudes is the Lord looking for in our giving or acting in generosity?
- How do you think God gives a harvest for those who do what he considers good?
- How could you be doing good to those around you?
Thoughts to consider
We tend to think of what we have in terms of say money, time and emotional capacity as a finite reserve which we are wanting to meet specific needs. We often forget that God is greater than this. He is able to make needs disappear, and he is able to provide far more than we give up.
Overview questions for reflection or discussion
- How do you see God doing good to those around you?
- How could you join in with God’s goodness?
Summary thought to consider
God is good to people in the every day matters of life. He is kind when we don’t deserve it. He is delighted when we see how he is being kind to others and take his lead.
