Sitting Being Good?

For a little boy, the sign of his BEING GOOD may be to simply be sitting still with his hands folded. This is the way he keeps out of trouble. And everyone says, “He’s such a GOOD BOY keeping out of the way.”

When we consider our approach to a life of BEING GOOD is this the way we try to attain it? Do we boast about the trouble we have kept ourselves out of, patting ourselves on the back and saying, “Oh, what a GOOD BOY [girl] I have been”?

Someone has stated: “Some folks are so busy being good they forget they should be busy doing good.” [source: calendar quote]

When we consider how Jesus contrasted the prayer of the Pharisee with that of the tax collector we are struck with how GOOD the Pharisee thought he was.

“(11) The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’” ( Luke 18:11-12 ESV)

Do you hear the boast? “I’ve been GOOD sitting here with my hands piously folded. That way I’ve kept my hands off other people’s property, kept my hands to myself, and kept my hands off my neighbor’s wife.” But what GOOD was he DOING? He mentioned his fasting and his giving in accordance with the law. However, where was his focus on extending compassion and mercy? Jesus had accused the Jewish leaders of observing some things while forgetting such weightier matters. (note Matthew 23:23) Where was the effort for helping uplift others rather than looking down upon them as this Pharisee did the tax collector?

In a short biography Peter gave regarding the life of Jesus, he noted how our Lord “went about DOING GOOD”. ( Acts 10:38) If we are to be like Christ we ought to be DOING the same. Rather than sitting with our hands folded, may be go through each day with them extended in service to the glory of God.

Have a great day DOING GOOD!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 11/16/2001 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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