6 Practical Good Works

In the previous five blogs on goodness, we’ve looked at the goodness of God, thinking about how His goodness should be reflected in our own character, the necessity of good works flowing out of sound doctrine, displaying goodness in the face of suffering, and repaying evil done to us with good instead of revenge. Let’s turn our attention now to some practical ways the Bible tells us we can be good and do good to others.

I Timothy 5:10 gives us a list of good works godly widows are to be known for: bringing up children, lodging strangers, washing the saints’ feet, and relieving the afflicted. She must be one who has diligently followed every good work. Did you realize, moms, that bringing up your children is a good work? During your children’s growing up years, that is the primary good work you are called to. It will consume the majority of your time. But don’t resent that. It is a good work. This list of good works reflects a compassionate heart, a humble heart, a servant’s heart. Our good works flow out of these character qualities that emulate our Lord and Savior.

That list also reveals one of the best ways we can do good to others: by being hospitable, opening our homes and sharing what we have. Romans 12:13 tells us to be “given to hospitality” (NKJV). Peter exhorts us to “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (I Peter 4:9, NKJV). One of the qualifications for a church leader is that they should be hospitable (Titus 1:8, I Timothy 3:2). Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water to someone because of their identification with Christ would not fail to be noticed by God and receive a reward from Him (Mark 9:41). Hospitality shows the love of Christ and enables us to truly get to know one another. We are supposed to show hospitality not only to friends but also to strangers because that is what Christ has done for us, extending His love to us when we were alienated from God and when we were still His enemies. Hebrews tells us that by doing this, some have even entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).

Hospitality doesn’t have to be fancy or difficult. When Jesus told Martha that she was bothered about so many things and that only one thing was truly necessary, I think He was trying to tell her to keep it simple. We don’t need a four-course meal with all the fancy décor; a pot of soup would be sufficient. It is the fellowship that really matters. An older woman in our church modeled this well for me. Whenever I could, I tried to visit her after her husband died and then later when she got cancer. Each time I visited, she would have a TV table set up by the couch with a teapot and two tea cups, a small plate with chocolates or a couple cookies—not always homemade—and a small vase with a couple flowers from her yard during growing season or a candle, which she would light when I arrived. It was simple and sweet. But the real sweetness was being together, sharing our lives, getting to know her, and trying to learn from this godly older woman all I could.

Hospitality enables us to open our arms wide and extend generosity. II Corinthians tells us that “God loves a cheerful giver” not a begrudging one (II Corinthians 9:7, NKJV). The next verse goes on to say that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work” (II Corinthains 9:8, NKJV). Do you see the over-abundance in that verse? Verses 10 and 11 show that it is God who supplies and multiplies and increases our good works so that we are “enriched in everything for all liberality” which rebounds in thanksgiving to God. He is the God who bountifully blesses us. A paradoxical inversion occurs with generosity, as expressed in Proverbs 11:24-25: “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (NKJV). It seems the more we give, the more He supplies. God is no man’s debtor; we cannot out-give God! He is a God of rich generosity, expressed toward us in Christ Jesus.

Giving generously helps to supply the needs of others, and generosity can also be expressed through blessing others with thoughtful gifts. The art of gift giving is a good work we can grow in all our lives long. I have a couple dear friends who are so gifted at gift giving! I do not have that knack for thinking of just the right thing, but these two women have blessed me many a time over the years with their creative, thoughtful gifts—things I would never have thought of, which have been surprising and unique yet so helpful and perfect. I want to learn from people like that because I want to be able to bless people in that same way as I have been blessed. Giving a gift, no matter how small, gives more than just the gift; it reaches the heart and lifts the spirit, bringing cheer and love.

Deeds of generosity and kindness, like “pay it forward,” surprise and brighten someone’s day. But have you ever thought of the ordinary, mundane tasks of washing dishes, folding laundry, fixing meals, or keeping an orderly house as acts of kindness? These are good works we can give to our family, the people closest to us, every day. It’s oh, so easy to resent those jobs, which shows just how much we need an attitude adjustment. Besides giving me a full life of love and unique experiences, my family serves me and one another in many ways. These daily opportunities to bless them back through the tasks of daily life become avenues to express my gratitude for them and transform dull, simple jobs into moments of thanksgiving and praise. Though no one may even notice, we can serve our families with hearts full of joy, praying all the while that God will fill our homes with the peace and joy and blessing of His loving presence.

Small acts of kindness know no limits. We can let our imaginations run away and come up with a myriad of ways to help others and care for them. Look for ways to bless and to notice the needs of others. Take a plate of cookies to a neighbor, prepare a meal for someone who’s sick or going through one of life’s difficulties, make room in your schedule to visit someone, give a hug, speak a kind word—the list could go on and on. And don’t forget that your own family needs these kindnesses as well.

The older I get the more I realize that everyone needs words of encouragement and appreciation. Everyone has self-doubt, discouragements, and insecurities; it just seems to be part of our fallen nature. We flourish and receive strength to go on when we are built up by others. Noticing what others do, sending a note of gratitude, or speaking a word of kindness lifts the spirit and lightens the load of daily burdens. Even a friendly smile can brighten someone’s day. Practice doing this, not just with the people you know, but with your family and also with strangers. Tell the cashier she has a beautiful smile, or a friend that she looks pretty. Thank someone for their kindness to you. Ask God to stop your mind from swirling around all the things in your own world and to help you notice things about others so you can drop an uplifting comment.  

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NKJV). Someone has written, “Active benevolence reflects God’s common grace and opens doors for gospel testimony” (from the Topical Lexicon explanation of the Greek word for good, agathos, on the biblehub.com website). Sometimes we do a good deed out of a flash of inspiration, and we just do it right then and there. But more often, doing good requires planning and preparation. What are some ways you are planning to do good to someone this week? Is your lifestyle characterized by goodness and good works? Share some good works ideas in the comments below.