Here's your daily devotional!

If you wish to receive these free devotionals every weekday by E-mail, click the button below. Note: you'll have to log in or create your membership account first. Membership in the League is free. Join now!

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

“"Doing Good to All People"”

Thoughts for Today:

It is very important that we understand Paul prefaced his instructions regarding doing good with the phrase, "As we have the opportunity." Why? Because it isn't possible for any one person to right the wrongs and solve all the world's problems and injustices. Many times sincere, faithful people fall to guilt and condemnation when they can't support every worthwhile cause. Paul's advice is, "To help as we have the opportunity."

So where do we start? In our passage today, Paul established one of our priorities when he says, "Especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Jesus also demonstrated His great concern for the well-being of believers when He said in Matthew 25:37-40: "Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" The brothers and sisters Jesus is referring to are believers -- the people who follow Him.

However, these instructions do not reduce our responsibility to demonstrate God's love to all people (including unbelievers). Paul was simply saying, "Charity must first begin at home, in our neighborhoods and in our own churches." Wouldn't it be hypocritical of us to ignore hurting brothers and sisters in our own churches to go to another country to help unbelievers?

In Acts 1:8, Jesus instructed His disciples regarding the focus and order of their outreach: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." What was His priority? First their own hometown and people (Jerusalem), then their country and its neighbor (Judea and Samaria), and finally the rest of the world.

Questions to Ponder:

What are some of your acts of goodness? Has it been a while? Start in your church. Ask your pastor where the need is the greatest and then get involved!

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

There's nothing like God's Word to create purpose in your life that lasts the entire day and beyond. We encourage you to Read, Carry and Share the Word of God. Pocket Devotions are sent by E-mail every weekday (Monday to Friday). On weekends we encourage you to be creative and study on your own in any area of Scripture where God leads you.

You can start from Day 1 at any time. Messages are sent automatically. Subscribe now! You may unsubscribe at any time.

About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.