Do Good Unto All—But How?

A well-known statement in Galatians 6:10 carries a hidden question. The verse reads, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Clearly, we are to do good to fellow Christians—it says we are to focus on them especially.

But reading between the lines reveals the hidden question: What about “all men”? The verse also states explicitly to do good to all. What about all the people we encounter in our daily lives who are not in the faith—whom God has not yet called to understand His truth?

This question becomes even more important when we remember that many of us do not have contact with other Church members during the week. Time, distance and geography make it so most of us usually see our brothers and sisters in Christ only on the Sabbath.

This aspect of Galatians 6:10 makes each interaction we have with a non-member valuable—much more than it can seem at first glance. It is your “opportunity” to “do good” to all, including co-workers, waitstaff, grocery store clerks and auto mechanics. Everyone.

How we conduct ourselves is of utmost importance!

On top of this, special consideration should be given to those with whom we naturally have closer relationships, such as our family, friends and neighbors. These are the people with whom we can have the greatest impact.

So how do we do it? How do we “do good unto all”?

Qualifying Word

First, we must examine what the word “opportunity” means. The Oxford Dictionary defines this word as “a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.”

Said differently, opportunity occurs whenever we have the time, experience or circumstances to take an action. This may sound simplistic, but we should always be on the lookout for opportunities to do good as they come.

Yet opportunities do not just randomly occur. Sometimes it requires focus and effort to seize or even create an opportunity to help others. Think. We must spend time with others to be around them when such circumstances to offer assistance arise.

Jesus Christ emphasized that Christians must not be standoffish or cold: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14). We should be visible. Our actions should be distinct and “cannot be hid” as we live God’s Way.

Spending time with people who do not attend The Restored Church of God is a major way we can be lights to the world.

Let Your Actions Speak for You

There is a simple, easy way to express outflowing concern for everyone you interact with. As “lights” of God’s Way, our actions speak for themselves—people notice much more what we do than what we say. We can demonstrate through our actions how to love others, even those who insult or otherwise hurt us.

This harmonizes with I Peter 3:15. We know we should not preach to others and only “give an answer” about our beliefs if asked.

Upon baptism and conversion, we change how we act. Family, friends and co-workers not in the Church see us behave in new and often unique ways. They see joy that comes only from the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

Colossians 4:5 adds, “Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders [nonbelievers], make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]” (Amplified Bible).

Our conduct toward those outside the Church requires wisdom. Be sure to ask God for this (Jms. 1:5). We should use every situation we find ourselves in to shine a light through our actions.

Little Things

Our example is usually shown through frequent and repeated actions as opposed to one big action. By doing simple things often, we let our light shine through.

Yes, little things matter. A few months ago, I had an interaction with a young man that helps drive this point home. This person showed a great example when he held the door for me and insisted I enter first. I smiled and complimented him on his manners, saying his parents did a good job raising him. He gave me a big smile back. I am still replaying that moment all these weeks later.

When shopping or at other public places, we can show similar respect for strangers—hold the door for others like that young man did. Allow them to enter first when you get to the entrance at about the same time. Give up that closer parking space. Help the elderly get across the traffic in front of the store. Be kind and genuine in all your interactions.

As much as you can, be neighborly. If appropriate, get your neighbor’s mail when you get your own. Bring their empty container up closer to the house after garbage day. Be friendly, smile and wave as you pass them on a walk or when someone you know spots you in your yard.

Do Not Stop There

You can take this further than just small acts. More significant acts of doing good include bringing meals when your neighbor is sick. You can help if they have a family member facing a difficult circumstance. Consider mowing their lawn or shoveling their driveway after a snow if they are elderly, expecting nothing in return. Ask how they are doing and show that you really care about their answer.

You and those around you all have ups and down in life. Lend others your ear when they need to share—people love a good listener. If you bring up hardships in your own life, make sure they can see the joy of Christ in you as you face the trial.

Again, Colossians 4:5 is a guiding principle. We are to do good unto all “with wisdom.”

What about friends and family? Such relationships can make it easier to jump in and help, but these closer bonds can also be a little trickier to navigate. Strive to avoid family drama by being a “Steady Eddie” as much as possible. Some important characteristics to exhibit:

• You quietly and consistently jump in to help.
• You are easy to be around instead of difficult. You do not make waves or cause confrontations.
• You give a soft answer when a situation gets tense.
• You apologize when you make mistakes.

Being consistently kind will help smooth things over when friction does come. And make no mistake, it will come!

An Illustration

God’s laws make us unique from all others. As we obey God’s commands, words are often unnecessary because people see how we live. We are in the world, but not of the world (read John 17:15-21).

“Outsiders” see you leave early enough on Friday, before sunset, to prepare and be ready to observe the Sabbath. They notice you fulfilling the other aspects of God’s laws that make you and all Christians different in a good way.

How do you navigate keeping God’s Law while also trying to be involved with non-member family or friends? A true story helps illustrate how to approach such situations wisely.

A couple in the Church had a daughter getting married who was not a member. They strove to foresee potential issues as early as possible and take action. Well before a date for the wedding was set, a gentle but clear conversation occurred about dates and times that could or could not be accommodated in light of the need to keep the Sabbath. Having the wedding on a Saturday would only work if the parents could attend Sabbath services first. Also, dates that were too close to the Feast of Tabernacles were not doable.

This and similar conversations gave the daughter the knowledge she needed to ensure her parents could attend. She could then ensure inevitable last-minute wedding adjustments would not conflict with Sabbath services or the Feast.

In the end, everything worked out! The daughter was exceptionally grateful that her parents could be there for her on her wedding day. Mom and Dad were thankful they could show their daughter the support and love only parents can provide. Her father walked her down the aisle.

This example shows we can and should put God first in our lives—but that does not mean we need to exclude those outside the Church. This is doubly important with family and friends with different beliefs or lifestyles. We can maintain healthy relationships without compromising God’s way of life.

Do not miss the major point here! Make sure to talk about potential conflicts, such as the Sabbath, as early as possible. Waiting until the last minute to address such things can be viewed as misleading or insincere. Read Proverbs 27:12. While there is still the possibility that things will not work out the way you want, being proactive enables you to anticipate conflict and often eliminate it altogether.

Find Balance

A related principle: We need to be balanced in our approach. We naturally look forward to spending time with brethren at Sabbath services, the Holy Days and the Feast of Tabernacles. We want to maximize and take advantage of these occasions. Yet do not neglect your physical family so they feel left out.

Philippians 4:5 states, “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” Delicately balancing God’s way of life while continuing to interact and show love toward non-members can be challenging. Yet we can find that middle road. Again, some real-life examples are helpful.

• One woman in God’s Church regularly spends time with her mother on phone calls and has a monthly Sunday lunch date. They reschedule when one of them has a conflict. The mother is incredibly grateful to have her daughter care about her so much.
• A man in the Church who lives far away from his father calls him every week. They have agreed to talk about everything except the differences they have regarding their beliefs. They travel once or twice a year to see each other, and the son helps his father with household projects when it is his turn to visit.
• A family in the Church regularly schedules a visit to see grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins while traveling for the Feast of Tabernacles. Their light shines because they always use some of the time to help with house repairs and other needs when they are in town.
• Another family in the Church invites relatives over every Thanksgiving. Dinner is always memorable and helps them stay connected. The conversation over dinner often reveals opportunities to help in other ways. They are often the first ones thought of when a family member needs something.

It requires time and effort, but balancing all the relationships in our lives is possible. We can have great relationships with others that do not overshadow or distract from our relationship with God and other essential responsibilities that come with being a member of His Church.

Be Gracious

No matter how hard we try, misunderstandings and disagreements will arise in our relationships. How we handle such conflicts is crucial in doing good to all. Being gracious can display our way of life more than any other deed or action.

Another real-life example shows how this can avoid awkwardness and anger when misunderstandings happen. A Church member was asked to attend a large end-of-year party as a representative from his workplace. To prevent a misconception about his attendance at this time of year, he said he did not observe Christmas or New Year’s, so he could not attend.

His employer believed it was not a holiday party and there was no holiday celebration of any kind involved. According to them, it was just a corporate get-together to introduce business colleagues. With this information, the Church member agreed to go.

A Christmas tree was one of the first things the man saw in the lobby of the conference center where the event was being held. This common area was not where the dinner would be held, so he still believed things would be OK. He continued to a large room where the event would take place.

Some of the other partygoers were dressed in holiday attire. When the member was seated at his assigned table, a holiday-themed game began. It became apparent that this holiday theme would continue.

At this point, the member quietly excused himself from the room and went home. He did not attack the holidays being observed, tell others about their pagan origins, or make a scene about having been told differently by his employer. He did not vilify anyone. The member did not say a word before quietly departing.

When asked later that week at work about the event, the Church member responded he had left quietly out of respect for others since it was a religious-themed holiday party and said he hoped it had not caused the company a problem. The employer immediately apologized for the misunderstanding. The member volunteered to attend other work-related meetings throughout the year. He showed a willingness to do his part and even go beyond what was asked.

Applying wisdom and putting God first, this man carefully did not harm his employer’s reputation, and he could still do his part in representing his workplace in the community.

You are probably thinking of additional examples of how to quietly be a light. Talking with others in the Church about their experiences will give you even more ideas to use in your own life.

We end this article where we started: being reminded that we are to take the opportunities we are given to show God’s love to our family, friends, work colleagues and other acquaintances who are not Church members. This requires spending time with them. As we interact with others God has not yet called, we show His way of life and fulfill the command to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18). Remember, we are a light to the world, set on a hill that cannot be hid (Matt. 5:14-16)!

As you observe God’s laws and way of life without compromise while continuing to interact with non-members, you fulfill Galatians 6:10: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”