Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” vs. 16
Hebrews 13:15-16
For generations the faith life of the Jewish people had revolved around the sacrificial system, and when some of them had become Christian there was a question about whether those sacrifices were still appropriate. Of course, when the temple was destroyed by the Romans this became a moot point. But there was still within the people a sense that sacrifices should be a part of their worship. This writer indicates that it was entirely proper to offer God a continual sacrifice of praise that would be embodied in the fruits of our faith. That advice is summed up in his admonition to do good work and to share what we have. Essentially these two things sum up our life in Christ. We live not as individuals, but as part of the Body of Christ, and within that Body we will continually be looking to the needs of others. Those aren’t complicated instructions, and they certainly don’t require an understanding of theology or doctrine. But we do know this: when believers dedicate themselves to the simple practice of doing good in their neighborhoods and communities and are willing to share what they have with the needy, our whole society is blessed. These are the behaviors that change the world.
Thought for the Day: When did doing good become natural for me?
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