02 09 09 Caught Doing Good In Bad Times

“Don't forget to do good. Don't forget to share with others. God is pleased with those kinds of offerings.” (Hebrews 13:16 NIrV)

The Old Testament sacrificial system may be over and done, but we as believers are still to offer sacrifices of praise, wealth, and our very lives. (Romans 12:1-2) The work of Christs is finished, but the works of His followers needs to continue as an act of praise and thanksgiving to our God and a visual sign to the unbelievers that Christ is not just our Savior, but our Lord as well! God is indeed pleased with our heartfelt and sacrificial gifts to Him and to those in need. Our giving allows the Gospel to continue to be proclaimed in churches, on city streets, in hospitals, in rec centers, within mentoring programs, and in remote parts of the world.

“Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19 NET)

Paul reminds young Timothy that those who have must realize their obligation to share with those who do not have. We must be so careful to realize we are not the source of our possessions nor are the banks, our employers, or our investments. The source is God and God alone and we must not simply enjoy His blessings, but share them for the expansion of His kingdom purposes. (Matthew 6:19-22) This is the only way to send blessings ahead and reap true dividends which last for eternity!

One thing we can not do if we are to reflect our faith in the Lord, is to stop giving in lean times. While we cut back in areas of leisure, excess, and comfort, we can not make cuts in giving. Giving is a foundational symbol of our faith. If those who look to the Church as a Body to be able to help, yet we as individuals have decided to stop giving, what does that say to those in need? “Has God abandoned us? Where is He when we need Him?”

What we do with God’s money and the gifts He had lent to us is His business, not ours. Who are we to decide how much of His resources we can keep? What do we expect from God in our time of need if we refuse to sacrifice to help others? Oh yes, these are the worst of times we are going through: joblessness, wars, political battles, and more. But these are also the best and most opportunistic of times to let people see the love, mercy, and providential hand of God at work through you and me. Let’s be caught doing good in bad times!