Doing good involves performing actions that benefit other people. But even if we have the means to help, there are things that can hinder us. District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya from Kenya in East Africa explains how these can be overcome.
The story of the good Samaritan stands out as a good example of doing good without delay. When the traveller in the story noticed that the man was injured and could not help himself, he did not stop to inquire about his origin or whether he was responsible for what befell him. He went straight to work and saved the man’s life.
In Galatian 6: 9 Apostle Paul told the Galatians that they should not become weary of doing good because in due season they will reap. Growing weary of doing good can happen when a person keeps on coming with the same need. The benefactor then gets the impression that his kindness is being exploited and may try to limit contact.
I don’t think Apostle Paul was telling believers to be naïve, but was addressing genuine concerns, particularly spiritual concerns. Doing good is a commandment of Jesus. It is a commandment that carries a promise of a reward of eternal life in God’s kingdom (Matthew 25: 37–40).
One late Apostle told us a story in a youth service once. He told us about a relative who used to visit his office when he was still practising in his secular profession. Every time the man came to visit, he had a financial need.
One day he came to visit and the Apostle was sitting in his office. He saw him through the window and he told his secretary that he did not want to see the man. After being told to go and come another day, the man refused to leave. He insisted and stayed at the reception.
After a few hours, the Apostle finally decided to speak to his relative. He asked the secretary to let him in. The man walked into the office with a paper bag and was smiling widely saying, “You know, I have just come back from a distant trip and on my trip, I saw some good shoes in a shop, and I thought I could surprise you with new shoes. Here they are, they are just the right size for you.”
The embarrassed Apostle took the shoes and tried them on. They were exactly what he had been wanting to buy but had kept on procrastinating.
We laughed with him at the end of the story.