By way of review, we Christians are not at liberty to decide what good works we are going to do. The reason is because we are under contract to do God’s good works, not ours. Our “contract” is the New Covenant and our good works have been predetermined by God under this covenant. “We are his workmanship,” Paul states in Ephesians 2:10, “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has determined beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
So what is the good work that God has determined for us as Christian men to do? Simply put, a Christian man’s good work is to guarantee the wellbeing of those in need around him.?That is, a Christian man doesn’t simply do nice things for people around him who are in need. Rather, he takes personal responsibility to make sure the need is met. It is this act of taking personal responsibility for the need that distinguishes Christian good works from non-Christian good works.
Of course, the first thought that comes to mind is that guaranteeing the wellbeing of those in need around us is an overwhelmingly impossible task. But before we get into the feasibility of this kind of?good work, I first want to establish the biblical teaching, because it is clearly taught throughout the Word of God, both explicitly and through many concrete examples.
Let’s first look at concrete examples in the Bible of believers who guaranteed the wellbeing of others around them.
Cain and Abel – a negative example, Genesis 4:1-9
The story of Cain and Abel is the story of how Cain murders his brother in a jealous rage. When God asks Cain where his brother is, Cain responds dismissively with, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper.” This story sets the stage for the rest of the book of Genesis where it finally climaxes in the story of Judah offering himself to a ruler in Egypt (his unrecognized brother, Joseph) in place of his brother Benjamin. The key distinctive of a follower of Satan is callous disregard for one’s brother while the key mark of a follower of God is care and concern for one’s brother, even if it means giving oneself to save your brother.
Abram and Lot, Genesis 14
Lot has abused his privilege of first choice of the land by choosing what he thinks is the best. In fact, it turns out to be a spiritual and physical death trap. Lot is taken captive by King Kedorlaomer and his allies, at which point, Abram rescues him in a daring raid. By doing so, Abram proves that he is indeed his “brother’s keeper.”
Judah and Benjamin, Genesis 44
Out of envy, Judah and his brothers have sold their brother Joseph into slavery in Egypt. Through a long course of events, Joseph is elevated to second in command in Egypt. At the same time, a severe famine is occurring, forcing Judah and his brothers to go down to Egypt to seek food for a second time. They have been warned that when they return they must bring Benjamin with them, Jacob’s other favored son. To overcome Jacob’s hesitation at letting him go, Judah guarantees his wellbeing.
When Joseph, who is not yet recognized by his brothers as their brother, threatens to keep Benjamin, Judah offers himself as a ransom in his place. He becomes his “brother’s keeper.”
Ruth and Naomi, Ruth 1
Naomi and her husband have two sons. During a drought they leave the land of promise to go to Moab. While in Moab, their two sons marry and then die. One of the wives’ name is Ruth.?Naomi’s husband also dies. Naomi decides to return to Israel and Ruth goes with her. Naomi tries to discourage her, but Ruth vows to go with her and care for her. By doing so, Ruth becomes the female version of a “brother’s keeper.”
Jonathan and David, 1 Samuel 20:17
Jonathan is the heir to the throne, but it becomes obvious that God has chosen David to be the next king. But Jonathan is a true follower of God and makes an oath with David that he will support him. Jonathan is another “brother’s keeper.”
The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37
Jesus is asked to define “neighbor” in a discussion about the command to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. He responds by telling the story of te Good Samaritan. At the end of the story, the Samaritan asks the inn keeper to take care of the man who has been wounded by attackers. He gives him money and promises to return and pay him whatever else is needed. In doing so, the man guarantees the well being of the wounded man and proves that he is his “brother’s keeper.”
John and Jesus’ Mother, Mary, John 19:25-27
As his last act before he dies, Jesus entrusts his mother–herself a widow and single mom–into the care of John. John took responsibility for the care of Jesus’ mother for the rest of her life.
The church and widows, Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; 6:1-6; 20:32-35; 1 Timothy 5:1-16; Titus 3:14, etc.
One of the first descriptions of the church includes this statement: “There was not a needy person among them.” The church makes its number one priority that of caring for widows and others in need in its ranks. What is important to note is that what in the Old Testament is exemplified by individuals, now in the New Testament church becomes the general characteristic of all believers. All believers are to love each other as Christ loves us and this is demonstrated over and over again in the NT by its care of widows.
So we see that the Word of God is full of clear and specific examples of people guaranteeing the wellbeing of others. In my next blog, I will review the explicit teaching where believers are commanded to do this.
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
_______________________________________________________________
Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
_______________________________________________________________
