2-2-25 “Do Good and Share with Others (1)”

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“Do Good and Share with Others (1)”

I want to start with something funny that I found an internet site: A Sunday school teacher was asking her students some questions after a series of lessons on God’s omnipotence. She asked, “Is there anything God can’t do?” The room was silent. Finally, a boy raised his hand. The teacher, disappointed that they had missed the point, sighed and said, “Well, what is it you think God can’t do?” The boy replied, “He cannot please everybody.”

Today, we celebrate Stewardship Month and dedicate our church committees. I am deeply grateful for each committee and every church leader here today. Without your dedication, our ministry could not continue. May your service and commitment to the church be a pleasing offering to God.

Every Sunday, we see Hebrews 13:16 on the cover of our bulletin: “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” This verse is our 2025 Parish Ministry Theme, calling us to live out our faith through action: to “do good and share with others.” Stewardship, after all, is not just about finances—it’s about our time, talents, and having a generous heart for ministry.

I want to encourage all of us to embrace this theme in tangible ways throughout 2025. For example, our monthly mission projects are a wonderful way to live out this call by sharing and serving in meaningful ways.

Some of you might say, “I try to do good: I come to church regularly, I participate in mission projects, and I help others when I see a need.” To those of you already living this way, I say thank you! You are building a lifestyle of goodness—what some might call a “rule of life.” However, others might wonder, where do I even begin? What does doing good look like in a world that feels so divided, hostile, and wounded? Sometimes, even small acts of kindness are met with suspicion or rejection. A smile might earn a strange look. An attempt to help a stranger might make them wary. Others might think, I’ll do good when people do good to me first.

But here’s the truth: There are no boundaries and no limits to doing good. Whether it’s something minor, like someone cutting you off in traffic, or something significant, like being treated unfairly, we are called to respond with goodness. Every act and every word must flow through God’s love and will, and our purpose must be to bring good to all it touches.

Jesus gave us a powerful example of doing good in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). Once, a man was traveling on the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. As he walked, a group of robbers attacked him, beat him, and left him for dead. A priest came by, saw

the injured man, and crossed to the other side of the road. A Levite also passed by and ignored the man. Then came a Samaritan—a person despised by the Jews.

The Samaritan stopped. He cleaned the man’s wounds, placed him on his donkey, and brought him to an inn where he cared for him. The next day, he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and promised to cover any additional costs.

What stands out to you in this story? The Samaritan crossed cultural, social, and religious boundaries to help someone in need. He didn’t ask if the man deserved help. He acted with compassion and love. This story challenges us, too. If we see someone in need on our way to church, what should we do? Is it more important to help them or to get to worship on time? Romans 12:1 reminds us: “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Worship isn’t just what happens on Sunday mornings; it’s found in our daily words and actions.

“Do not forget to do good” reminds us that ministry is active, not passive. Stewardship means using our gifts to bless others and advance God’s kingdom. Doing good doesn’t have to be grand; it’s often found in small, everyday acts of kindness that reflect God’s love. Hebrews 13:16 concludes with these words: “For with such sacrifices God is pleased.” True stewardship often involves sacrifice—putting God’s kingdom above our personal comfort. But these sacrifices, made with a joyful heart, are like a fragrant offering to the Lord (Philippians 4:18).

As we dedicate our committees today, let us honor their sacrifices and commit to supporting them. Their work is often unseen, but it is vital to our ministry. Let us also reflect on our own lives. What sacrifices can we make to further God’s work?
Hebrews 13:16 calls us to a life of active faith: doing good, sharing generously, and offering sacrifices that please God. These principles are the foundation of stewardship and our church’s ministry. As we dedicate and celebrate our committees, let us commit to walking alongside them, living out this call to do good and share with others. Together, as one body in Christ, we can make a lasting impact for God’s kingdom.
Thanks be to God. Amen!