THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF GOOD WORKS
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in Heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (ERV)
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)
Many years ago, a young immigrant living in Turkey received an enormous inheritance. Because of his faith in Christ, the young man thought it best to keep his wealth a secret and continue to live a life of simplicity. That young man had a neighbor with three daughters of marrying age. In those days, it was customary for families to save dowry money for their daughters when they married. Unfortunately, the neighbor’s family was very poor and could not afford the dowry. In fact, they were so poor that they couldn’t even afford to feed the girls anymore. The night before they were to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, the girls hung their stockings up by the fireplace to dry. Upon hearing the heartbreaking story, the young man quietly broke into his neighbor’s house that night and filled the girls' stockings with gold. Not only did the young man provide enough for the girl’s dowries, but he also rescued them from a life of slavery.
Later that year, someone caught the young immigrant in the act of secretly blessing someone financially. He begged the person not to disclose his identity but to give glory to God alone. As you can imagine, this didn’t go as he had hoped. The young man was spotlighted as someone who cared for his community with a kind of supernatural power. He was eventually even given the title of Bishop. To this day, people worldwide give each other gifts in remembrance of the way Saint Nicholas cared for people. My guess is that he would be horrified at how his identity has been stolen and morphed into that of a jolly, old elf, competing for the attention of Jesus on His birthday. However, don’t miss the impact that Nicholas’ spirit-empowered kindness had on a watching world. People had no paradigm or category for the love they witnessed throughout Nicholas's life. May we also be moved by God’s Spirit in such a radical way that people will be forced to recognize that Jesus is in this place. May the good deeds we do in Jesus’ name serve as an instrument of inspiration to others for acts of love and good deeds.
APPLICATION: Christians are like lanterns, but Jesus is the burning wick that they carry. Think of a person in your life who has radiated the light of Christ. Thank God for their witness.
PRAYER: Lord, make me an instrument of inspiration for others. Not the kind of inspiration that puffs me up. Instead, the type of inspiration that causes people to look at You, desire You, want to love You, and want to love others more fully.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?