What good deeds can you do for others?

We can be raised to hold open the door for others. We can be taught to relinquish the seats for the elderly to sit in. We can learn to say “please” and “thank you.” But these and so many others which we have been taught and learned are not good deeds. They are, in fact, only good manners.

Letting someone else go first in line. Handing someone a lid to their coffee cup first as you are trying to get yours also. Saying “good morning,” “hello,” and “goodbye.” Saying “God bless you,” or “Have a blessed day.” All of these and more are not good deeds either. Instead, these are just being polite.

Random House College Dictionary defines good as: kind, beneficent, or friendly : to do a good deed. It then defines deed as: something that is done, performed, or accomplished. Action of performance, esp. As illustrative of intentions, promises, and the like : His deeds speak for themselves.

So, in other words, good deeds are something which are helpful to others without want of any reward. As Christians, the only reward we should ever be thinking about is to glorify and honor our Father in heaven through our actions and words. For by bringing glory to the Father, He will in turn glorify what we do. Have you ever done something for another — perhaps bringing them an unexpected but needed meal — then afterwards felt that warmth of love within your chest? That is the reward of Our Father glorifying what we have just done. 

Stop for a moment to think of what other good deeds you can do for others today, tomorrow, on every day whether at home or at work or at the store. 

Have you thought of some of what YOU can do?

How about these ideas: Donate clothes, visit someone in the nursing home or hospital, send someone a card just saying you are thinking and praying about them. How about bringing a neighbor's empty trash can back from the road after the trash-man emptied it. Or to buy Christmas presents for children in need.

Many of these The Vineyard has modeled for us, and encouraged us all to do. We have the 24-hour event of helping those in the community. We have the Community Center. We have partnered to help build a church school in New Delhi, India. And the Bible directs us as well. 

Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) states, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

Titus 2:14 (NLT) states, “He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”

John 13:35 (NKJV) states, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Mark 16:15 (NIV) states, “He said to them,”Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

How about we start doing these good deeds for our neighbors and strangers we meet, and preach the gospel through our blessings and our actions? If we perform these good deeds for others in Christ’s name, glorifying Our Father by spreading the gospel while helping others, then He will glorify our actions.

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