Good For Nothing?

There was a group of young boys comparing their home situations and how much they were given each week. The son of a banker proudly declared, “My dad gives me ten dollars each week for being good.” The son of a lawyer stated he got five dollars. The son of a widow complained he only got fifty cents. Then the son of a preacher matter-of-factly declared, “My dad’s a minister, so I’m good for nothing.” [selected]

How much motivation do we need? As we look around us we may wonder whatever happened to just being good for goodness’ sake! What has happened to doing what is right simply because it is right? Do our actions merely reflect a concern for when other’s eyes are on us (note attitude of Colossians 3:22) or rather a sense of character that signifies to whom we belong?

John stated…
“(9) No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. (10) BY THIS IT IS EVIDENT WHO ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, and who are the children of the devil: WHOEVER DOES NOT PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF GOD, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” ( 1 John 3:9-10 ESV)

That’s not being good to be paid for it, but it is also not being good for nothing. It is being good FOR THE SAKE OF PLEASING GOD! Not only are right actions a sign of desiring to be RIGHT WITH GOD, the result is that GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED ( Matthew 5:16) and we will ultimately REAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOOD we have sown ( Galatians 6:9) because God is pleased to bless those who seek to please Him. (note Hebrews 11:6b)

The nation of Israel was told that in keeping the commands of God, the nations who observed them would see them as a “wise and understanding people.” ( Deuteronomy 4:6) Are there any rules more righteous than His? ( Deuteronomy 4:8) May we live to have that wisdom and understanding seen in our own life by being willing to do the things that are good and right simply because they are!

Have a great day BEING GOOD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE!
Carl

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