Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
It is hard being the nice guy all the time, is it not? I have heard people ask, “Why do I always have to be the one to give?” I’ve heard that question relating to marriages, to parenting, and among friends. Sometimes it just seems that we are the only ones doing good unto others. I know that is not true, but it does feel that way at times. We sometimes start to feel that we are being taken advantage of, do we not?
Paul knew that feeling. Think of the cold nights he spent praying over the church, knowing all the while that many of them would not suffer for him as he was for them. He knew the struggles of building the first church, trying to start from nothing, while many others enjoy the freedom of “Sunday’s off”. A large portion of Paul’s letters is devoted to encouraging the believer to keep going!
May I offer you the same encouragement? Don’t give up! Keep doing the good you know you ought to do. Go the second mile in your Christian walk. Keep serving others, even when it hurts or you feel unappreciated. Not because everyone else is doing it, but because of the love you have for your Heavenly Father. Do it because it is the right thing to do. Do it because in the end, you will be rewarded for your faithfulness.
Though it may seem you are being taken for granted, or that no one really cares, remember that Jesus is watching. He’s keeping track and He’s building your reward accordingly. Hang in there! It will be worth it in the end!
Even though I know the Scripture says don't feel discouraged, I am so hurt and discouraged right now about constantly being the one to reach out with love and receive nothing in return that I truly do feel like giving up. We go out of our way to buy our grandkid's nice gifts and nice clothes and pay a lot in shipping to have them delivered but get not one thank you, not one photo, nothing…and it really hurts esp. when you see so many others proudly posting pics of their grandkids dressed so nice for Easter. Neighbor kids are riding their bikes but the one we bought is still in the box nobody cares enough to even put it together for the child to enjoy. 🙁 Yea, it is very easy to get discouraged even if you know all the right verses.
I'm praying for you know.
Angie, thanks for finding my blog and for commenting. The shuttle launch would be awesome some day!
Thanks, I needed that! I have been reading you blog from afar here in Florida and actually found it through a friend of a friend of a friend…you get the idea. As a wifre and mom to 3 boys as well as children’s church coordinator it sure is hard to be gracious sometimes but important none the less. Just wanted to write and say thanks for all the pertinent-to-me things you post. I especially enjoy the parenting tips. Let me know if you ever want to come down for a shuttle launch could probably get a launch pass for you 🙂
Terri, I actually wrote a post about this almost a year ago. You offered a good comment there as well.
https://ronedmondson.com/2008/08/the-balance-between-helping-and-enabling.html
I totally agree with you both Peter and Teri. I think you are this is an example of the need for a balance of Scripture. The concept of this verse, that we are not to grow weary in doing good is the way we are to approach helping others in the attitude of our heart. Even when we are taken advantage of, we are to not grow weary in the good we are called to do. That doesn’t mean though that we should not hold people accountable or help them improve. Scripture is also clear, as you said Teri, about personal responsibility.
It’s similar to the issue of loving others, even our enemies. We are commanded always to love, even when that love is not returned. That doesn’t mean, however, that if someone breaks into our house that we cannot prosecute them through the legal system. Civil authority is a part of Scripture also, but it doesn’t release us from our responsibility to love.
We are to serve others, as well as hold them accountable, but our heart is through it all never to grow weary in doing good.
great thoughts!!
Peter – working with community social service programs can be eye opening.
A family I was working with “shared” with me how lists are passed around of what churches and social programs give away what, on which days, how often you can “hit them” before needing to back off for a while or how to work the unemployment system to get the most benefits (like when you should get yourself fired).
A former neighbor shared how to get state paid child care so you can send the kids off and then sleep peacefull the rest of the day (after having partied all night).
I’ve seen the “regulars” lining up for church benevolence who gotten angry if was suggested they work with someone on their budgeting skills “Just give me my money!”
Or the woman a church I was a member of, who trashed out an apartment because she was too handicapped to clean it. I was sent over to help her move out because she had been evicted for nonpayment and filth. She couldn’t carry a little bag of trash out… but could carry a computer in. Couldn’t get around without her wheelchair… except in the mall where I saw her shopping a few month later. Oh… the new place the church set her up in… she was evicted from that a few months later…
And that is not even touching on the personal contact my husband and I have made trying to help those “down on their luck”.
In my opinion, far too many programs or peoples’ actions look on the surface to be “doing good” when at best they are a band-aid and worst are encouraging & enabling a lifestyle of dependence.
As the saying goes, you must teach a man to fish… not just hand him a fish.
It’s come down to this for my family – as a stewardship issue and a pure logistical issue (a person has finite time – energy – emotional resources): does this person in need already “fish” and need help getting over a rough point OR are they reaching for that “fishing pole” ready to learn… or are they standing there like a baby sea gull expecting that “fish” to be dropped in their mouth?
I’m not saying don’t do good!! Far from it! But I am saying to make sure the good you do is REAL. Hope Pregnancy Center – saving those babies, Lighthouse Ministries – helping folks WORK their way back to being sober, child sponsorship programs like Compassion who teach children Christian values and life skills to make a go of it, missionary sponsorship programs like Africa For Jesus that help native pastors bring the Word to hurting people.
Those are real. Those do good.
Interesting. I’ve rarely, if ever, felt that way.
Quite the opposite in fact, I always feel that I can never do enough to serve… but then I don’t have people in my life who abuse my generosity!
.-= Peter P´s last blog ..Sunday Thoughts – July 19th 2009 =-.
Where does the “wise as serpents”, “shake the dust off your sandles”, “he who does not work does not eat” and other such parts come in? Where does ‘doing good’ become lack of disapline or enabling or just plain dumb?
I have a burden for those who need help and are desiring to come out of their situation or who are innocents in a bad way.
I have no burden for those who are conning people to achieve their own selfish desires.
Appropriate timing! People who abuse our call of generosity can drain you and make you want to stop doing anything of the same for people who truly need it. Obviously, this hits home with me right now…thanks for writing what He asked you to write!