BE GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE

A LIFE WORTHY LIVING (20) – by Chipo Gift Kanyenze

BE GOOD TO OTHER PEOPLE!

‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’ Galatians 6v10 (N.I.V)

We are now in the festive season. It’s a time for bringing joy to other people’s lives. As the Christmas carol goes, ‘Joy to the world Christ has come…,’ we will be copying our heavenly Father who gave His best (Jesus) by giving others our best too. It’s a season of making others smile.

I am not saying it’s the only season you should make others happy but I’m saying we are now in a season of increasing the intensity of doing good to other people and this includes both close people and strangers. You cross your normal goodness boundary and go the proverbial extra mile and get to reach the less privileged.


In Proverbs 3v27, 28 we are urged not to withhold or delay doing any good to the needy when it’s within our reach to help immediately. Delaying does not make your help more valuable to the recipient instead it only causes unnecessary prolonging of the misery of the recipient. I am exhorting you not just to do good but also, to learn to do it promptly. Think about it, would you like it if God would unnecessarily delay answering your prayers? Put yourself in the shoes of the needy, how urgent would you prefer your needs to be met? So do unto the needy in the exact manner you yourself would like God to do unto you. Don’t be deceived by the devil, whenever God seems to be delaying there is a genuine reason for that. If you could see from God’s point of view you would see that God is very wise and timeous.

No one can say he has nothing to give this festive season. You can give someone a smile, you can visit strangers at your nearest health centre or you can visit an orphanage and just talk with the orphans. You can take your time to talk to a street kid and say God loves you and you can take time to listen to the street kid’s story and just pray with him/her. As long as you are living you have something to give.

Some of the blessings we are after are released when we start opening our folded hands. The Bibles says, ‘Give and it shall be given unto you….’Luke 6v 38. Give other people love and you shall be loved in turn not necessarily by whom you have loved. Give other material things and the stuff you desire in your life will also be given unto you. Give others junk and junk will also be given unto you. Give other people what is valuable to you and you will be given valuable things in return as well. The law of reaping and sowing is still at work during this 2009 festive season. The law in a few words can be explained as whatever you sow (do) ,whether its good or bad, God will make you reap (bring back to you after multiplying). The Bible goes to the extent of saying, ‘If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – He will repay you. (Proverbs 19v17).

Giving can be a natural attribute but to many it must be learnt. Take intentional actions or steps to meet other people’s needs. It’s not a pleasant experience at first but as you go on it becomes easier. Common sense says withhold and you will accumulate wealth but the Bible teaches the contrary. In Proverbs 11 v 24 we are told, ‘There is a person who scatters, and yet increases; and there is he who withholds more than is meet; but it tends to poverty.’ As a personal observation I have noted that stingy persons don’t prosper in life. It seems they get too economic even with their minds as well.

We are urged not only to love those who love us but to go beyond as much as our heavenly Father gives sunlight and rains to both the good and the evil. We are not only to love the lovable but even the unlovable and the ungrateful. This will distinguish us from the natural worldly affection. (Matthew 5v 43-48).In Hebrews 13 v 1-3 we are told to show hospitality to strangers and to remember those in prison as if we are there ourselves.

In conclusion I am leaving you a passage in Matthew 25 v 31 - 40 where Jesus told us what the generous will be told on judgement day. It will be ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invited you in, or needing clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visited you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ’Now is the time to do all these things to Jesus so that you will be rewarded on the last day.

Quotable Quote: Do small things with great love –Mother Theresa


‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world done by the motivational company Vision Growth International (V.G.I). It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times. To receive the articles directly write to cgkanyenze@gmail.com or visiongrowthinternational@gmail.com with subject ‘Subscribe’. A blog is also available on www.visiongrowthinternational.blogspot.com

©Vision Growth International Publications 2009