Practicing Good Works

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Titus 3:14 (HCSB)

"What good have you accomplished for your community?" a retired pastor asked a group of young pastors during a Christian leadership conference. Some replied that they devoted themselves to evangelism; others stated that they fed the poor; and still others said that they supported social activities within their community in order to win as many souls as possible for Christ. All of them focused on what they were accomplishing through their own ministries to prove that they were doing better than the others.

Wearing a broad smile, the retired pastor asked them: "Does your entire church participate in this, or only a small group?" Failing to grasp the intent behind this question, they simply looked at one another without saying a word. The mistake these pastors made was choosing to focus on what suited *them* best, while ignoring other aspects of good works—as well as the fact that they were limiting these good works to a small, select group. Yet, they should have involved their entire congregation, for the performance of good works should be the responsibility of every individual.

You may not be a member of the evangelism ministry, the hospitality team, or a home prayer group. But whenever one of these ministries is active within your church, it is your duty to contribute to it. Who knows? The Holy Spirit might very well use *you* to touch someone's life. It is also possible that a person benefiting from these activities might feel more comfortable confiding in *you* regarding their personal struggles. This is precisely how you can bear fruit. God calls us all to bear fruit. The best way to achieve this is to constantly practice good works in order to come to the aid of others.

May God's grace and peace be with you.