Pastor's Blog

The old evangelist, Bob Jones, Sr., was well-known for his signature ex-hortation, “Do right!” It was his way reminding his hearers that Christians are to live godly lives. Recently another New Testament obligation for Christians has been impressed upon me; it is: “Do good!” The Apostle Paul was concerned that the churches for whom he had oversight not neglect the responsibility of doing good works. Writing to his associate Titus, he says: “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).

Since the mid-20th century, we evangelicals have argued over the place of good works in our theology. Along with our orthodoxy, should we have a social conscience? In some cases, a social conscience has superseded the commitment of believers to the biblical Gospel, and the result has been the current obsession with social justice. That, of course, is to lose our focus and allegiance to the truth. But Paul is clear: it’s not enough to live com-placently in our evangelical enclaves, content to believe sound doctrine, but virtually unconcerned for the needs of others.

“Our people must also learn to engage in good works.” Note what Paul say here. First, this is something God’s people need to learn; this isn’t a spontaneous response to becoming a Christian. Good works involve per-sonal sacrifice—of our time and our treasures—and sacrifice is not natural. Church leaders need to teach God’s people, both by precept and by example, to practice acts of kindness. Towards whom? Just our fellow believers? No. Paul writes to the Galatians: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10). So both individually and as congregations, we need to be sensitive to the needs of our church family (our first priority) and our community. Good works towards those outside the church are a powerful testimony God can use to bring lost sinners to himself.

Then Paul says that we should especially be alert to “meet pressing needs.” Obviously, no church or individual Christian can meet every need about which they become aware. But we must be prepared to meet urgent needs, doing what we can within the limits of our resources. Sometimes this may require special appeals and sacrificial giving on our part. At other times it may mean that we join hands with sister churches or organizations within our communities to address the need. And it may also require spe-cial times of intercession, since our prayers can be powerful and effective in addressing needs. In response to our prayers, the Lord may well supply through us and through others in ways we cannot anticipate.

Paul adds that God’s people should engage in good works “so that they will not be unfruitful.” Our kindness and self-sacrifice in meeting the needs of others produces spiritual fruit for which we will receive rewards, possi-bly sometimes in this life, but certainly someday in the life to come. In oth-er words, good works make good sense.

Brethren, the extraordinary needs of our congregations and communi-ties are our responsibility, especially in bad economic times. If your church doesn’t have a benevolence fund, perhaps you could encourage the leader-ship to start one. Perhaps your family can set aside some money for a fund to help others. Certainly pray for those who struggle with need, but then do more than pray . . . give.

If you need persuasive examples, read the stories of George Mueller, Amy Carmichael, Charles Spurgeon, or a host of other well-known saints. Spurgeon, for example, once said (paraphrasing Elijah in the Bible): “The God who answers with orphanages, let Him be God!” So . . . do right? Of course, always! But also, do good!