Pastor's Ponderings, March 16, 2015

We Ought To Help Others

No good deed goes unpunished. Clare Boothe Luce, the first American woman appointed to a major ambassadorial post abroad is credited with this quote. This quote means actions that benefit others are often unappreciated or bring on hostility and even if they are appreciated, it may lead to demands for even more beneficial actions. Clearly those who wish to help others may be surprised to find the recipients ungrateful.

Nevertheless, the Bible expects us to continue to do good things for others (Galatians 6:9, 10). It does not matter if people are ungrateful or turn around and do mean and spiteful things to us even after we have blessed them.  We are responsible to act in love even if we are not treated with love (1 John 3:17-18). 

Today, when we feel led to bless or help others even those who have hurt us, despised us, or have come against us, know that we are not simply being hearers of God’s word but we are demonstrating to the world that God still loves the unlovable and the ungrateful (James 1:25).  He also promised to help us when we help others (Isaiah 58:10-11). Remember, He loved us and blessed us even when we did not love Him back.

Galatians 6:9, 10
New International Version (NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

1 John 3:17-18
New International Version (NIV)
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

James 1:25
New International Version (NIV)

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Isaiah 58:10-11
New International Version (NIV)

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.