Good Deeds

Good deeds and serving don't save us. We're saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone! We're saved to serve...we're saved to do good deeds. A tree is known by its fruit. Christ's followers are known by their good (Christlike) fruit.

This verse lists some of the good deeds done by an honorable, exemplary widow: bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people (serving other believers with humility/following Jesus's example), helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to ALL kinds of good deeds. Don't you love the word "all" :)? No wiggle room there! It reminds me of this poem by John Wesley:

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

We all have areas of ministry that we can do. This could mean raising our children, opening our homes to others, giving our time, talents, and treasures to serve others, helping those in need, encouraging others, and/or sharing the love of Christ with strangers. What are you well known for? No, I'm not saying we should be doing good deeds for applause, recognition, appreciation, or even good feelings of accomplishment (patting ourselves on the back). That would be wrong motives. We do good deeds because we love God and love others...because we want to honor and glorify God...because God wants us to do so...because we want people to see that all the good they see in you and me come from our Heavenly Father and praise Him. "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify (praise) your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16