Acts of Kindness and Good Deeds
We have some new little neighbor kids who just moved here from Phoenix a couple months ago. They’ve been coming to the back of the neighborhood where we live and playing in our creek/ditch. Their mom said it’s their favorite place in the whole neighborhood because of the trees and rocks and creek and such. They come catch tadpoles and frogs and crawfish.
I got an idea for act of kindness that my daughter and I could do for these little ones. I can’t take credit for the idea though. It came from my friend Kim. She and her daughter painted some rocks and put them out on walking paths as a surprise for some little girls in their neighborhood to find on their walks. This was such a great idea that my daughter and I decided to duplicate it for our new neighbors.
We painted some rocks in some fun designs and then set them all out in our creek for the kids to find when they come back to play sometime. The anticipation has been so exciting as we’ve been waiting on them to come back to find their surprises. We’ve even talked about expanding our idea to set little decorated rocks out at the base of some of our neighbors mailboxes as an act of kindness for them too so they might have a little fun surprise when they get their mail. Then we discussed even making more to take to some nature trails to lay out for other families and kids to find out some point, and we talked about making some to put in geocaches we find too.
Expressing an act of kindness is a fun way to pass time
Doing good deeds and seeing the creative ways that others have done good deeds has been a wonderful way to pass the time recently during the COVID-19 pandemic as so many of us are homebound. We love watching clips lately from Some Good News, or following Good News Movement and Global Positive News on Instagram. It’s also fun to get inspiration from those internet or Pinterest posts tagged “faith in humanity restored”. If you’re ever having a bad day these are all good places to focus on the good, pure, lovely and admirable things.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
However, these are also some great places to get some good ideas for some good deeds! Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. (I’ve even written before about loving your actual neighbor.)
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NIV)
This commandment is only second in importance to loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength. I also personally believe that the second command—to love our neighbor—is one way HOW we go about showing our love for God in a tangible, practical way. We can do this by doing good deeds, loving people, and showing God’s compassion and kindness toward them. It really does stand out in today’s narcissistic and self-entitled culture where people rarely go out on a limb for another.
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love, kindness and good deeds should be a distinguishing characteristic of Christians, to be honest. People should AUTOMATICALLY know that we are Christians and know that we are different based on how we act and how we treat others. People will know we are Christians, followers of Jesus, by our love and how we show that love to others.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” John 13:35 (NIV)
Follow Jesus’ example—He went about doing good
Jesus gave us a great example of how to treat others. We can read about his kindness, love, good deeds, and interactions with others throughout the New Testament in the Bible. If Jesus went around doing good, then so should we.
“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts of the Apostles 10:38 (NLT)
We are called to stand out, be different and do good deeds
We are called to be different by being “salt” and “light” (see previous posts on “Be a Light in the Darkness” and “Are You Salty? Do You Have the Qualities of Salt?” Part 1 and Part 2). We are called to point people to God. They should see our good deeds and praise God.
““You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
God wants us to do good deeds and good works
We are God’s channel of showing his goodness, kindness and love to others. We should be reflecting God’s image and character to those around us (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10).
God wants us to do good works or good deeds, NOT to earn anything (especially forgiveness or salvation because those are already given to us as a free gift because of Jesus’ sacrifice of his own life on our behalf—he already earned those things for us) because BECAUSE we are saved we do these good things. Good works and good deeds are a natural byproduct of our faith.
“You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (CEV)
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James 2:14-17 (NLT)
“Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” James 2:26 (NLT)
The Passion Translation of James 2:26 even goes as far to say that someone who claims to have faith but doesn’t do good deeds or help others is phony:
“So then faith that doesn’t involve action is phony.” James 2:17 (TPT)
“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)
“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” 1 Timothy 6:18 (NLT)
“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” Titus 2:7 (NLT)
“He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” Titus 2:14 (NLT)
“The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” 2 Timothy 3:17 (CEV)
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)
“How true and faithful is this message! I want you to especially emphasize these truths, so that those who believe in God will be careful to devote themselves to doing good works. It is always beautiful and profitable for believers to do good works.” Titus 3:8 (TPT)
Ideas to love, serve, and do good deeds for others…
To get some ideas to love, serve, and do good deeds for others we can definitely look at the places I mentioned earlier in the post. I’ve also written some previous posts with ideas (see links below). Some obviously can’t be done at the current time due to social distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are still ways to show kindness without close physical proximity.
We Can Use What We Have to Serve Others
Text to the Master of good deeds
When I think of good deeds or random acts of kindness one of my best friends always comes to mind. She is CONSTANTLY doing thoughtful things for others and quite often it’s for strangers! I sent her a text telling her I was working on a post about acts of kindness and since I consider her the Master of this could she please send me a list of some of the things that she does.
Although I know she could have sent me a list of hundreds of things she’s done, she emailed me four powerful examples…
Popcorn is on me
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
I believe God gifted me with a heart to feel the needs of others, and I pray to see those who need gentleness or kindness. Pray that prayer, and you will be amazed at what situations will become so clear. I was with a small group of friends at a movie theater, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a group of 16-year-old boys.
I slipped into a gaze watching them. They were digging in their pockets to find enough money to buy movie tickets. What was apparent was that they were trying to get enough money for a disabled boy in a wheelchair. Unfortunately, they did not have enough money, so as a group, they turned away. I was impressed that they all left together rather than sending the one boy away.
Faster than I could think, I left the line and my group. I approached the boys and gave them enough money for several tickets and popcorn. All I said was, “popcorn is on me.” Pray for God to keep your heart and eyes open for times when the popcorn can be on you.
A new Thanksgiving tradition—candy bags
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV)
I had just moved to a new city and was very alone and sad. Thanksgiving was just a few days away, and I was ramping up for an epic pity party. While in Walmart buying a frozen lasagna for Turkey-Day, I cut through the candy aisle. Fondly I recalled being a kid, and Christmas at church meant you would get a candy bag with nuts and an orange. Next thing I knew, $100 worth of candy was in my basket.
I went home and made hundreds of little bags of candy with a note that said, “Merry Christmas, you and your work are much appreciated.” I then stuffed my purse full and began to go all over town giving candy bags…to the grocery store cashier, police officers, waiter, and bank teller.
I have done this for more than seven years, and I can’t imagine a Christmas without it. It is now a tradition for my husband and me to buy lots of candy and sit down on Thanksgiving and stuff bags. We then spend a month giving them to everyone we can. We are God’s instrument to share love, kindness, and appreciation. I have had people stop me and tell me of a horrible event they were enduring, and the candy bag made them believe in goodness.
A wedding registry alternative
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)
When Randy and I shared the news we were to marry, my friend Karen asked if I was going to register. “No, we have more than we need and are so blessed. We do not need gifts.” She said, well, just know, your friends will want to celebrate you with a gesture of kindness. At that very moment, God put in my mind the exact plan.
We went to a group home that supports foster children who have aged out of the system. For one year, the home prepares them for life and teaches the skills needed to survive. We were paired with a young woman Q, who was ready to get an apartment and live on her own but too scared to do so. I asked if she had everything she needed to furnish an apartment, would she go. Her answer was YES. We met her at Target and registered for everything you would need to start a home.
All of our friends loved this idea, and in just a few weeks, every item was purchased. My church also participated in collecting furniture. Q was able to furnish a two-bedroom apartment and take custody of her sister, who was also in foster care. The most lavish wedding present we received was the opportunity to help this wonderful young woman spread her wings and fly. We check in on her, and they are doing great.
A kindness given…and a kindness returned
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
Why do people give to missions, and how do you know it’s working? Honestly, I never really thought about it. I grew up in church, and I’d give part of my allowance to the Lottie Moon fund each Christmas. I just believed that people were helping those less fortunate and talking to them about Jesus.
Several years ago, I was in a team meeting at work. This was a very Washington D.C. serious kind of group. One of my colleagues stood up and told everyone about what his church was doing in Uganda and said, “I know it’s not what people are supposed to do, but I want to ask for your help.” I was moved by Joel’s confidence and belief in this Uganda school. I told him I would give. I set up an automatic monthly payment; several years go by, and I never thought about it again.
Then in 2015, I had a bad accident and was critically injured. Joel tried to contact me, but I was unable to communicate for quite some time. He said all he knew to do was pray. Joel asked his church to pray, and someone sent an email to the school in Uganda and asked them to pray. He said that a woman who had been giving to the school sponsoring Najjuma Shaluwa was severely injured and may die and needed prayer.
Then Najjuma asked if she could send me a letter.
I remember when I got the letter because I was rock bottom losing hope I’d get better. My friends told me to pray. It angered me to hear that because I could barely form a sentence, let alone say a fancy prayer. I thought God had forgotten about me. Then the words of a child changed the course of my heart. God had not forgotten me. He had one of His children halfway around the world write to me and remind me.
When I read the letter, three things stood out to me.
- It’s was a beautiful letter. It showed she was taught to read and write. Being educated gives her the freedom to make choices in her life as it relates to work and marriage. Education provides an opportunity for the rest of her life.
- She spoke of God’s love and power. She believes, and her heart is full of God’s love.
- She’s praying for me. Wait a minute! I’m supposed to be helping her. I’m supposed to teach the faith. But here is a young Ugandan woman who is praying, has faith, and is helping me. Bless this child. She is now doing the works of God. She is an instrument of His goodness.
It’s rare that you see firsthand not only the success of the mission but that the receiver becomes the giver. She is educated, knows God, and faithfully acts in His name.
That day I prayed for the first time since my accident. The prayer wasn’t long and fancy with King James words. I used Najuuma’s words. My daily prayer became, “God, restore me. Amen,” and He has. My health, hope, and faith are restored. Amen.
Take Some Practical Steps to Do Acts of Kindness and Good Deeds:
This one’s easy…Go do good deeds!! Get some ideas from the post and resources above and get out there and show love, serve, and be kind! They will know you are Christian by your love.
What are some acts of kindness and good deeds you’ve done? Share your great ideas with us by leaving a comment below!
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