Monday, July 16, 2012

Why Do You Do Good?

You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached -- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. -- Acts 10:37-38

Why do you do good things for other people? Do you expect something in return? Maybe that they’ll do something good for you? Or that you’ll be recognized and praised?

Jesus simply went around doing good things for people. So, therefore, should we. Not because we get anything in return, but because He showed us how to live.

I overheard a fuss the other day that really had me shaking my head. One woman had given numerous vegetables to another. She had an abundance and she shared. That was a wonderful thing.

Well, the situation had reversed itself. Now the woman who received had an abundance and the woman who had given did not. Except this woman didn’t want to share. She was downright stingy, finally telling the woman she could have two or three tomatoes but that was all. Needless to say, her friend told her keep them.

There were hurt feelings all around. The first woman gave generously -- but not freely. There was an unspoken requirement with her gift: You will share with me as I have shared with you. Obviously, the second woman should have shared just as freely as the first woman, not because it was “required” but because it was the right thing to do.

Aren’t our gifts usually the same? We attach unspoken expectations to our gifts rather than give freely because we can. We buy a friend a birthday present because we expect one in return on our birthday. We lend someone a tool and we expect to be able to borrow a tool when we need it. We give financially to a worthy cause and we expect a nice tax deduction and public recognition.

We are so accustomed to the give and take of our lives that we don’t realize we’ve missed the point. Giving to others, doing good, isn’t about what we might get in return. That road can only lead to anger and disappointment and hurt feelings. We should give because Jesus gave. It really is that simple.

Jesus gave to others because He loved them. He loves us. And because He loves us and we love Him, we should care for those who belong to Him and to the lost and the hurting. We should show His love, not because we expect something in return but because we represent Jesus and His love on this earth.

So why do you do good to others? Think about it. Examine your motivations. And ask Jesus to open your eyes and your heart to do good things for others just because of Him.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Show God's Love

"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing, he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." -- Acts 10:2

Today is Independence Day. Lots of talk about freedom and loving our soldiers. All appropriate for a special day. But July Fourth means something different for me, something super special. As I grew up, it was the day of the Miller Reunion. A day of family -- love, laughter, children playing, youngsters fishing and the elders watching over it all. There were 13 Miller children. They've all gone home now and we no longer gather as a family. I miss it.

God truly blessed me by placing me in a family filled with strong Christians. My Grandmother was a founding member of St. Luke. She, my cousin and a number of others voluntarily left First Methodist and formed a new church when leaders decided there was a need. She didn't miss church as long as she was able to attend. She played hymms on that old piano in her front room. It was awesome!

My Aunt Murl was active at Mt. Pleasant, which was near the family homeplace. Her daughter has often laughed that if the church doors were open, they were there. Aunt Murl believed in church attendance. She also believed in prayer. In later years, her declining health forced her into the nursing home. She refused to watch television. When someone would question her, she would turn the question back to them. Why, she would ask, would she waste time watching television when she could spend that time in prayer.

Aunt Murl believed in the power of prayer. So do I. That faith is a rock now as I pray for another cousin who is facing uterine cancer. Aunt Murl could have given me a lot of things. Instead, she gave me herself. When my Grandmother died, Aunt Murl stepped in to fill the void. She showered me with love and taught me -- by example and words -- how to cling tightly to Jesus and the Holy Word.

I could go on and on about different family members and what they and their faith have meant to me. It keeps me close to them, focused on the day when we'll be reunited and walk the streets of gold together. I am grateful to them.

You might think my parents, brother and I attended church faithfully during my childhood. You would be wrong. I have a few memories of church from when I was small. After that, nothing. I started attending church on my own in college. Then I drifted away only to return. My parents, too, have returned. But I know that I might not be in this place had it not been for the love and example of my family, those extended relatives who cared enough to show a needy child that Jesus Christ is alive and working in our world today.

Sometimes we may not know how our actions are impacting those around us. We may think that our efforts are in vain. They aren't. Every time we reach out to someone else, we show them Christ's love. It is something they can and will feel, whether they understand it or not at that time. Keep it up. You never know. One day that person might be walking next to you along streets of gold.