Exercising Goodness to Others

Not only did this man’s action help the family but he also helped in a dignified way. He covered the father from the shame that goes with being needy, by making it look like the money was his and had fallen down. That day the boy and his father could not see the circus but they both went home joyful knowing that they had made 10 people happy. The best way to help a person in need is to do it in a way that you do not shame them. Few people want to admit that they need help, perhaps because of the shame associated with it. So ask God to help you to be sensitive to the needs of others and offer help before it is asked. If God makes you aware of a needy person it is because he wants you to help without being asked.

There are many ways you can do this. You can do grocery shopping to a family in need and live it at their doorstep with a note saying it was a gift from God. You can send someone a check and tell them God told you to give it to them. You can send them tickets for some entertainments for the children. There are so many creative way of helping in a dignified way. And please do not go telling everyone what you have done because your good acts should be between God and you unless you are acting as a group. Jesus said that “when you do a charitable deed do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do —. But when you do your charitable deed do not let your left hand know what the right hand is doing, that your charitable deed maybe be in secret”( Mathew 6: 1-4).

If someone ask you for help do not go into length to ask for details of why they need help unless there is cause to, like perhaps they abuse substance. It is good to be responsible in giving but do not use this to humiliate them.  Treat those in need the way you would like to be treated if you were to fall in need. Remember it is not only about material substance that acts of goodness are needed. Consider that lonely lady in your neighbor who has no one to talk to; whose house has not been cleaned for a long time because she is not able to do so. Think of that single mother who is working so hard to provide for her family and sometimes cannot afford child care. How about that immigrant in your neighborhood who has no family around, can offer them some kindness?

If you are a follower of Christ, that relationship should be reflected in how you relate to others. Christianity is action oriented and is manifested in love and not in judgment.