Good Works Exposé
It was one week before Christmas Day that I learned about a local single mother with two young kids and, although she had a job, to say that she could not make ends meet would be an understatement. In addition to her two children, she had recently taken in her two sisters by helping them escape the high likelihood of being forced into prostitution by a family member. As the mother was the only one with an income, she could not afford to feed her kids and herself, much less her sisters. Her income was barely enough to pay for the small apartment they all shared where the only furniture was a crib mattress and a full mattress, both on the floor. So, when I heard about an opportunity to help them with food, clothing, and furniture, I jumped at it. Oh no, I just told you about my good deed, so I’m in trouble. Oh well, I’m always in some kind of trouble.
If I do good works and no one knows about it, does it still count? If I tell someone how I helped a family who’s down on their luck, will the gratification I enjoy be my entire reward? Do angel wings and a crown of gold await me in the next life in exchange for the myriad of good works I’ve piled up in this life? Or, is it as John Vanbrugh said: “Virtue is its own reward. There's a pleasure in doing good which sufficiently pays itself.” What a killjoy!
I’m wondering why am I even concerned about whether or not I get credit. Is there even credit to be had. I mean, what kind of twisted intellect would consider such things? What’s the harm in getting my jollies from displaying my wonderful works to a social media world that is waiting with bated breath to learn of my recent adventures in love and good works? What does the Bible tell me about good works?
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Mt 6:1-4
“In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “ Acts 20:35
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10
God made me free to obey Him by doing the good works that Jesus long ago prepared for me to do. This means that I am to spend my life in the practice of ignoring my urges for self-aggrandizement. Instead, I am admonished to be grateful to God for opportunities to love others, taking joy in the truth that my Heavenly Father sees all and is actively making all things work together for my good. This includes the past, the present, and the future. Thanks be to God from whom all blessings flow!