Let’s Help Others, Expecting Nothing In Return
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “In the Bible, where does it say that we are to help others and expect nothing in return?”
Our Lord said, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Luke 6:35 NASB). In Gal. 6:9-10, Paul continues the above principle of our Lord when he states, “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
A companion scripture to Gal. 6:10 is Proverbs 3:27 which states, “Withold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” We are not to refuse exhibiting mercy and kindness to others when it is in our power to do it.
The extent of God’s mercy and kindness toward us will be dependent upon our extending mercy and kindness toward others (James 2:13; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:15).
In Acts 10:38 we read, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good….” Jesus went about doing good to others, and as His servants, we must follow His example (1 John 2:6). In Romans 12:18-21, we learn that acts of kindness and benevolence can change people’s hearts (cf. Proverbs 25:21-22).
Brethren, our demonstration of love toward people might result in their obedience to the gospel of Christ. The “coals” referred to in Romans 12:20, are pains of shame which kind treatment will produce. We have an Old Testament example of this happening in 1 Samuel 24:16-19.