WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES US WEARY OF ‘DOING GOOD’? (Part 2)
3. ‘Doing good’ can have its own challenges.
Some years ago a father and his son arrived at our church office asking for food. They told us that they had had no food for several days and that they and the rest of their family had nothing to eat. So we served them some coffee and while they enjoyed the coffee I went out to the shops and put together a food parcel to help address their needs for a few weeks. It was packed into two boxes. I met with them and gave them the food. I was amazed at their response. They both stood up and the father said the following: ‘Do you expect us to carry that?’ I then realized that they did not want food but they had hoped for money. This response was a challenge to me and brought a hardness of heart into my life so that I didn’t really want to help people because I doubted their motives. You can ‘do good’ and get a response that you never anticipated. People may not appreciate your endeavors. You may even be criticized. When Jesus did good and helped people, the leaders of the day were angry with Him. That is enough to make you weary and tired.
4. ‘Doing good’ usually calls for sacrifice.
I remember my own father. He did not earn a great salary but he provided for us. He would sacrifice so that we could get new clothes. He would wear his suits for many years and did not demand new clothes for himself but made every effort to ensure we had the clothes we needed. That is sacrifice. Putting others first usually means putting yourself further down the line. Sacrifice is not our default attitude. Often the very aspect of ‘doing good’ is tied to the aspect of sacrifice. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:7 ‘Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,’ Over time this can become a drain and a tiresome aspect.
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