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I believe that there is more to being
a laborer than just telling people about
Jesus and getting them saved. Those
things are very important, but I believe
that we should first of all just help
people. When you first show people the
love of God in very helpful and practical
ways, getting them saved is then much
easier to do.
Unfortunately, many people are like
the priest and the Levite in the story of
the Good Samaritan. They pass by the
needy people around them. I’m sure
that it’s not that they don’t want to help
or don’t have the wherewithal to help.
They’re just too busy. They don’t have
time to stop and think about the people
who are around them. Many Christians
“walk by” opportunities to minister
every day. Sometimes they don’t notice
the hurting people around them because
they’re too busy praying that God will
help them and their own families!
We need to understand that we
are here to touch the world. It doesn’t
matter if the people we touch are Christians
or non-Christians. Everyone needs
a word of encouragement at one time or
FAITH IN ACTION
The best way to “do good”
to someone is to walk in love toward
them. Here are some practical ways
to “do good” to others.
• “Love covereth all sin” (Prov. 10:12).
Love not only hides the sins and
evil of others; it refuses to speak
of them.
• “Love envieth not . . .” (1 Cor. 13:4).
Love does not desire the position,
honor, power, benefits, favor, esteem,
or blessings that others have.
• “Love is not puffed up . . .” (1 Cor. 13:4).
Love does not think more highly
of itself than it should.
• “. . . In honour preferring one
another” (Rom.12:10). When you
get so busy preferring everyone
else and unselfishly helping them
another. Everyone wants to hear, “You’re
doing good.” Or, “Regardless of how bad
things look, you can make it.”
And if you need encouragement, don’t
wait to receive encouragement before
you start giving it to others. Remember,
you reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7). If you
encourage other people, you will reap
the encouragement you need.
I remember being at a convenience
store late one night in Chicago when a
man came up to me and asked for money.
What should set us apart from others
is that we love people who
purposefully hurt us.
Walking in Love
He pulled out a paper and showed me
that he had just been released from jail.
He said he was hungry and just needed
a little help.
I told him, “Sir, I’m not going to give
you any money, but if you’re hungry, I
will walk inside this convenience store
with you and buy you some food. Would
you be fine with that?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
We walked into the store, and I told
him to get as many sandwiches as he
wanted. I told him I’d buy him whatever
he wanted to eat and drink, except I
wouldn’t buy him any alcohol.
obtain blessings that you forget
about yourself, that’s when you
will find honor, success, and promotion
for yourself.
• “Great peace have they which love
thy law: and nothing shall offend
them” (Ps. 119:165). Love is not
easily offended. Love is at peace.
•“Love endureth all things . . .”
(1 Cor. 13:7). Love can go through
all kinds of trying, hurtful, evil, and
slanderous experiences calmly,
sweetly, silently, lovingly, and
uncomplainingly—the way Jesus
endured hardship—knowing that
there is a crown of righteousness
which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will award to you (2 Tim. 4:8).
He picked up some sandwiches and
some soda pop to drink. Then he asked
me, “Why are you so nice?”
“I’m a Christian,” I told him. “I believe
in being nice. I believe Christians should
help people out.”
I don’t know what happened to the
man afterward. But I’m glad I was able
to share my faith with him. I was able to
plant good seed. And he listened to what
I had to say because I bought him food. I
was able to “do good” to him.
That man wasn’t used to people being
nice to him. In fact, most of the people in
his life probably treated him like trash.
That night, however, he needed someone
to be nice to him and to do him good.
Take a moment to examine your life.
Are you doing good to the people around
you? Are you touching a hurting world?
Or are you like the priest and Levite,
walking by the hurting and dying people
around you?
It’s not enough to see a need and pray
that God will send laborers to fill the
need. Realize that you are the laborer
God wants to use. Take time each day
to touch the people around you. As you
become less focused on yourself and your
needs, you will see plenty of opportunities
to minister to others. So instead of
“walking by” the lost and the hurting,
allow the compassion of God to “do good”
through you.
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