Of Course believers are to be involved in good works! However, to some of our contemporaries Christianity only consists of acts of kindness. They are lacking in basic Bible teaching, and, being highly political, are influenced by godless psychological concepts in their outlook. But comparing ourselves with others is not wise. Our approach must be based upon Scriptural considerations, noting particularly the example of Jesus Christ.
Paul writes: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God . . . that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Notice how comprehensive are the Scriptures in their wisdom: all good works. Furthermore, these beneficial activities are performed by a special kind of person, the man of God. Thus any good that we wish to do must be based upon the Bible and be God-centred or Christ-centred. This latter point can be amply illustrated by many passages of Scripture. Here are just three to make the point: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Which is in heaven” (Mt 5:16); “that we should be to the praise of His (God’s) glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Eph. 1:12); “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:11).
This principle of God-manifestation in works of kindness distinguishes the believer from others who are in the ‘doing good’ scene. Many reasons are advanced by the world to help the needy, but the Scriptures are quite clear on this matter. God exhorted Israel through Moses to help others, basing His appeal on His redemptive work for them in Egypt (Deut 24:17-22). Paul demonstrates how the same principle operates in the life of the disciple. He writes: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh . . . at that time ye were without Christ. . . having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye . . . are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:10-13). Thus there is, as it were, a spiritual control upon what we should consider as ‘good works’. Firstly, they must be Scripturally based; secondly, they must arise from appreciation of God’s love towards us; and thirdly, the activity must be motivated to give praise and honour back to God. In following these principles the benefactor and the recipient gain the maximum benefit.
It is essential that we give ourselves first to the Lord, for true works of faith will flow from this commitment. A bleak situation faced the believers in Jerusalem, so Paul appealed to the ecclesias for financial help (2 Cor. 8). An exemplary attitude is set before the Corinthian ecclesia by the members of the Macedonian ecclesias (v. 1). Writing of them Paul says: “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord” (v. 5). They had done more than Paul had imagined; in fact, they had demonstrated the principles of the ‘two great commandments’—God first and then neighbour. We are asked to do the same. The Lord does not request a ‘one off’ activity, sponsoring this, that or the other. He is demanding more. “My son (and daughter), give Me thine heart”. That is a lifetime’s task, made more painful because our weaknesses are exposed and motives revealed under the all-seeing eye of the one in whom we have been created unto good works: Jesus Christ He set the example: “who (Jesus) gave himself for our sins” (Gal. 1:4).
The Master’s daily godly walk was the real manifestation of goodness, whether in subduing the flesh, in performing works of kindness, or in any of the multitude of ways he revealed the Father. The Jews said to him: “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” (Jno. 6:28). Their concept of salvation by works comes through in this question to the Master. Maybe also they wished to do works of a stupendous nature so that their contemporaries would acknowledge them as the people of God. How sad! Note the reply of Jesus : “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent” (v. 29). This of course requires faith, a virtue which had been set aside by their wish to be saved by their own works. This is a danger for all who engage in good works. The lessons from John 6 are quite dramatic. Jesus did provide natural food, he did not neglect the physical needs of those he came in contact with, but the emphasis was on spiritual matters. In contrast, the Jews emphasised natural things, the things that could be seen, and yet considered themselves as the true people of God. Whom are we really like in our walk to the Kingdom?
The Scriptures bring out the idea that enjoyment is found in helping others. This is seen, for example, in the passage from which our title is taken: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy”. Yes, enjoy yourselves, my brother and sister! But (wait for it!) Paul continues: “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate . . . ” (1 Tim. 6:17,18). Is it not true, even amongst those who “know not the Lord”, that the most contented of folk are those who involve themselves in other people’s problems and seek to help them (Eccl. 3:12) ? How much more should this be true of those related to eternal matters?
No wonder there is so much discontent in the world then, when happiness is advertised and defined as acquiring more and more ‘things’! Are we any different in these matters? “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, see context), said the Master; and Paul, from his experiences, bears eloquent testimony to this.
The child of God loses nothing by helping others in love and in truth. This is brought out by Paul in the quotation from 1 Timothy 6. In verse 18 he urges the doing of good, the result being: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (v. 19). A number of interesting points come out of this verse, with practical, exhortational content. Firstly, the phrase, “laying up in store” has the idea of ‘laying up treasure’; and secondly, the word “foundation” can also mean a ‘fund’.
So if we use our wealth and talents, etc., we are building a treasure store, a spiritual fund for the future. Here is a bank balance that cannot be affected by deflation, inflation, or thieves! What an incentive to work the works of God, knowing that the seeds of eternity are in the work to which we have put our hands! No wonder then that in verse 18 Paul stresses that eagerness to be so engaged is the hallmark of the child of God: ” . . . rich . . . ready . . . willing to communicate”. Furthermore, the end is not just life, but, as the Amplified New Testament translation puts it: “lay hold on life indeed”.
Yes, we should join together, particularly in our individual ecclesias, in loving service to our God. It is essential that it is individual response, yet linked to a corporate faith; ‘community’ sharing of joys and sorrows; the initial yearning coming from the heart and mind of each member desiring to do good (more particularly that of making known the gospel of God), and stimulating one another in the “goodness of God”. May the Lord find us so when he returns.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One