Doing Good Today

"Question"

I came across a journal about helping the hurting of course there was no better example than the parable of the good Samaritan(Luke 10:25-37)..-putting into consideration the way things were at the time of Jesus there is a big disparity with current times and people take advantage of those helping them.

It is clear we have been called to a life of servanthood. But what should we do so that our services may not be taken advantage of?

"Answer"

Let us know that Ephesians 2:10[1] calls us His Workmanship for good works.  We are encouraged by the Scriptures to do good!

Titus 3:8 "This is a faithful saying...that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works..." Maintaining is a daily routine, something you do as a matter of duty – when you feel it and when you don’t. Matthew 5:16 talks about other giving God the glory when they see you good works.  So, what is the motivation of our doing good?  Is it so that we can be seen by men? Certainly not! Our deeds may attract the attention of men, but our motivation is that we are not men pleasers by God pleasers!
Ephesians 6:6 implying on servants and masters admonish the believing servant not to do their duty with eye-service, as men-pleasures doing the will of God from the heart.
Our good ought to be done in sincerity of the heart – so our deeds appeals to the motives.

I admire politicians in our county, when they do good – they must publicize it.  Reason, they owe it to their constituents.  However, for us who believe when we do that good deed let us follow the example of the Good Samaritan.

First it an answer to lawyer who was testing our LORD – Luke 10:25. He gave a right answer from Deuteronomy 6:5. He still wanted to justify himself and so, he is given the right illustration:

The Priest, the Levite represent those that know the law and keep it – but they ignored the needy person!  The Samaritan was considered in that day as the one who does not know the law – He ends up keeping it and then some!  The man who fell among thieves was in need!  James 4:17 says “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Also, the Good Samaritan did good expecting NOTHING in return – He gave a pledge that he could come back after his business and settle the needy man’s bill!

For us, it is a clear sign that we need to do good because it is right to do.  Do good simply because you are God’s workmanship for good in this world.

Secondly, if there is evidence or signs that it is going to hurt the one you are helping – then wisdom is needed.  The reason is that helping can also hurt, especially when you continually give fish to a needy person instead of showing them how to fish.  This can be explained further in a book “When Helping Hurts”.

Thirdly, you may never know the motives of those who may in turn want to take advantage of you. Use your discretion, ask God for wisdom, use common sense and your general knowledge – to make a decision whether to or not to engage!

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[1] Eph 2:10 “For we are His Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”.