Be assured that with every question I ask you, I am searching my heart first, for I am not excluded from the temptations and traps that are out there to ensnare us.
When I read God’s word I am very aware of the need to do good, and the benefits that are not just for the receiver, but also for the giver. We all have heard it said, “It is better to give than to receive,” or we have heard, “by giving to you I will be receiving a blessing from the Lord, so basically you need to take what I am offering, otherwise I may be robbed of my blessing.” Is this really how it works, and should doing good for you be what brings me my reward?
The answer is yes, but not for the reasons we may initially think, for the Bible does more than suggest we do good, it is a command.
Matthew 22:37-39 NIV Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
To love is to do good, it is that simple. Because without love it will be impossible to do good, but with love, it will be impossible Not to do good! It becomes a heart indicator for us, because where we are in our relationship with the Lord will often determine how easy or difficult it is to follow the above commandment.
Luke 6:45 NKJ Jesus said, “ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Acts 20:35 NKJ and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said, “ It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
It becomes easier for us to walk out the above when we are in the right spirit, knowing that our rewards are in heaven, putting one foot in front of another and choosing to do good.