Paying for others

Paying for others

Bible: Luke 6:27-36

Reading

If you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? (V.33).

Would you pay for the people in the queue behind you at a coffee shop— even if you didn’t know them? That was the challenge given by a local Christian radio station I sometimes listen to. The idea was to do a Jesus-like act of kindness for people who didn’t expect it—and to leave a note saying you did it because of your love for Him. Why do this? Why spend money for someone else’s drink—especially someone we don’t know and who may make jokes about our beliefs? Why give without any hope of getting anything back? It sounds weird, but the idea comes from the Bible. Notice what Jesus said as He talked to a large crowd: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that” (LUKE 6:32-33). Clearly, Jesus wants us to do good to people who can in no way pay us back. Whether we’re paying for someone’s drink, volunteering at a drop in centre or doing any number of other things, our motivation should be all about Jesus. It doesn’t matter if we’re thanked or not; but it does matter that we show Him to the world.

WE DON’T DO GOOD TO GET OURSELVES NOTICED,
BUT TO PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON JESUS.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries