ICS Daily Devotions
Be Rich in Good Works
1 Tim 6:18-19 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life
As Christians, we are in the world though not of the world. In fact, we need to be in the world in order to be its salt and light. Although we are not saved by works, we are definitely saved to do good works, because we are blessed to bless!
We need to learn from the early churches which did the right thing by starting mission schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. They were effectively sharing the Gospel through their deeds; they allowed their actions to show forth their love for the people. Subsequently, they earned the right to speak and preach the Gospel to the people.
As God has blessed us so that we can bless others in return, here are several types of free will offering we can consider. First, we can help the poor. For instance, contributing to the annual ICS Charity Golf Tournament where each year’s proceeds go towards a local charity is one way of doing that, and Scripture says God will repay us.
Prov 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Second, we can bless those who teach us the Word. Free will offering to teachers and preachers when a love gift is being collected will help in supporting the minister.
Gal 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Third, we can help those in need. If we will just look around us, there are always opportunities to help people in need. For instance, when a brother or sister is in need of an operation but does not have the means, we should decide to help the person.
1 John 3:16-18 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Sermon Series: Blessed By The Better
