Doing good is not always easy because there are things that can spoil it for us. District Apostle Helper João Uanuque Misselo from Angola explains how he copes with this.
We live in an individualistic society today: everyone fights for their own interests. The rise in individualism, egoism, and self-centredness is frightening, and we are seeing the results: practising goodness is diminishing more and more. And as Jesus already predicted, injustice is rampant and love is growing cold in many (Matthew 24: 12). Who nowadays still really cares about others in need? Humanity has not changed: “I have worked hard and really made an effort. If he had worked as hard as I did, he would not be in this situation.”
Our motto “It’s time to do good” poses a real challenge for all of us. Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6: 9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good.” We could all become tired of doing good. The word in Galatians wants to teach us that there are things we should always be prepared to do, even if we have perhaps become disheartened. Having to deal with people’s ingratitude nowadays, for example, can be discouraging and lead to apathy. But we should not stop doing good because of this. The fact that people are ungrateful should not change our attitude towards them.
Remember the first human beings. They were in the Garden of Eden and had everything at their disposal. They became ungrateful, opposed God, and were banished from the garden and separated from Him. Out of love for His creation, however, God did not abandon them and continues to love all of humankind and His creation.
Even after He had been nailed to the cross and felt utterly exhausted, Jesus Christ still found the strength to forgive those who caused Him so much suffering: “And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’” (Luke 23: 33–34).
We could ask ourselves: What’s in it for me? Apostle Paul gives a clear answer to this. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6: 9).
Our deeds will be blessed. It’s time to do good. The Lord Jesus comes in the guise of a child, a stranger, a prisoner, and an orphan. My wife and I have personally made good experiences of looking after half-orphans and orphans. This is by no means easy, but if your motivation is based on love you can help the needy and make a positive impact on their development.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6: 10).
Photo: Tim Schaefer-Rolffs