An audition for a singing competition on TV captured my attention. Strumming on a guitar he’d learned to play just a year earlier, a young man named Anderson wowed the judges when he performed his original song, “My Best Friend.”
As gifted as this young man is—it was his story that inspired me most. Anderson is a young African-American man who had been living on the streets of New York City. That changed when an older and affluent white man, Norm, came into his life through an organization that reaches out to homeless youths.
Norm saw a passion and talent in the young man that he couldn’t quite see in himself. The older man gave young Anderson an acoustic guitar and he taught himself to play almost immediately. He soon took to the streets and subways of the Big Apple where he blossomed as a singer. “It’s because of the guitar,” Anderson said during the audition, “that I’m here today.”
The guitar Norm gave his young friend encompassed and went beyond just being than a musical instrument. It embodied blessing someone in need, even one who doesn’t look like you, act like you, or talk like you.
What Norm did for Anderson reminds me of something an older mentor (Paul) once encouraged his young apprentice (Timothy) to stress to those who have more than others: “Be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others” (1 Timothy 6:18).
We live in an age where our love tends to grow cold toward those who are different and less fortunate than we are. Instead, may we “experience true life” (1 Timothy 6:19) by being open and ready to put Paul’s words into practice wherever the Spirit leads. May we “trust” in God and pour out His goodness on others! (1 Timothy 6:17).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 2:1-24
More:
Check out Matthew 6:1-4 and think about the spirit in which we should do good works.
Next:
Look around and pray for eyes to see where you can be “rich” to those who are less fortunate. How can you encourage other believers in Jesus to “be rich in good works”?
Gary Shultz on May 29, 2016 at 6:38 am
Well Jeff, it certainly is a facet of Christ’s life that was evident throughout His ministry. He never stopped giving, never, and it will never change. I think we would all like to have personal impact like Norm, it’s a cool thing, but the deal is as you say, “pray”….. There are many excellent ministries that can take a gift and change lives. I do believe we should always have an eye to bless someone; however, we do not have to be in the picture, we just have to listen to the leading of our Lord. It’s all His anyway. Thanks Jeff.
doctor-perspective on May 29, 2016 at 1:26 pm
I love Ephesians 2:8-9. I also love, perhaps just as much, Ephesians 2:10 – ” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I think it would help if as Christians we saw ourselves as being obligated and duty-bound to do good works. In fact, I will go one step further and say that it is part of the deal.
The message of salvation by the grace of God is appealing, in part because it emphasizes no contribution from us. But because we are made in the image and likeness of God, there is something about a “free ride” that should disturb us. The emphasis of love is never receiving. It is always giving. “For God so loved… that he gave…” (John 3:16) This fact forms the launching pad for 1 John 3:16, “..This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Good works for the Believer in Jesus Christ is not optional. Let us rely on Him who pre-ordained our good works to lead us in their direction.
jim spillane on May 29, 2016 at 2:29 pm
doctor-perspective – for those of us who no longer need “the pure spiritual milk,” I think that we have the right attitude towards good works. I’m more concerned that for those who might still be “lacking in their faith” that they might take your comment “I think it would help if as Christians we saw ourselves as being obligated and duty-bound to do good works” the wrong way. In this forum, you might be reaching all levels of believers (infant to mature and everywhere in-between), and your statement might guide some of them to do the right thing for the wrong reason. We need to be careful not to lead those “early” believers back to the law, from which they were set free in Christ.
gagirllive on May 29, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Well said, Jim.
gagirllive on May 29, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Jeff, that’s an inspiring story. You don’t say whether the older man is a believer or not. I say that because there are many altruistic people out there doing good things for people, but God is not being glorified by it. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus tells us to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify God. The whole point of good works is to make much of Him…to reflect His love and grace. I believe that the divine nature of God that is in every born-again believer will desire that. Of course, this new nature is at war with our old nature which still wants to dominate and make us live selfishly, so we have to often be intentional—proactively seek out ways to be a blessing to others. I do this in my own life, and I do it not out of obligation or duty but out of love for Christ. His divine nature in me WANTS to find ways to express Christ’s love, compassion, and generosity. In some kind of synergistic way, my desire and prayers for this, His will, and other people’s needs get aligned and He is glorified. I guess for me, the bottom line is that if we obey the greatest commandment—loving God and loving people—good works will show up. Thanks, Jeff. Hope you’ve had a great Lord’s Day.
Jeff Olson on May 29, 2016 at 6:23 pm
Gagirllive, I’m pretty certain Norm is a Christian…that was edited out from the original version…got to love editors…just kidding Tom
gagirllive on May 29, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Thank you, Jeff. I figured that was the implication since you used his story as your example. I just wasn’t sure. And I can understand your jest about editing. I would be an editor’s nightmare…too many words, so little said. 🙂