Daily Devotional – Monday, September 13, 2021
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)
When we give generously and the other person appreciates our kindness, a hormone called Dopamine is released in our brains. This ‘feel-good’ hormone makes us want to give more so that we continue feeling good. In other words, generosity is addictive.
On the other hand, if your generosity is abused or it is not appreciated, you will be disappointed and probably decide not to help again.
Another reason for being reluctant to be generous is the many request that keep coming our way. All around us are people who want our assistance. Sometimes we will not give because we have already given beyond our ability.
Paul, realizing that generous and sincere acts could be abused and fail to be acknowledged, wrote, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.”(2 Thessalonians 3:13, NKJV). As long as God bestows on us the ability to give, He expects us to be generous.
Our work is to give. It is not to worry about whether people will appreciate what we do. If you feel like giving up for any reason, ponder these profound words of a poem widely attributed to the late Mother Teresa.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Father, help me to do good, no matter how people react.
Will you do good anyway, even when you are not appreciated?
Amen elder ,,may we have the spirit of doing good no matter the situation.
Thank you, Brian. That is my prayer, too. I have missed your comments here. Thanks for coming back. God bless you.
Thank you for the challenging devotion as we start the week.
I am reminded of Colossians 3:17:
Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Great week ahead!
Amen and Amen, Peterson. God bless you for always adding value to this page.
May Our Good Lord Cause Me to do good even to My Presumed Enemies..Amen
Great prayer, Ronny, May God bless you.
This is one of the areas most Christians fail including myself. Have always prayed God to help me on this.
We only do good to those who are good to us.
We really need to pray God to help u overcome in this area. Thanks, Pastor.