No Good Deed Goes...

 

One day in England a “gentleman of the road” (a hobo) stopped by a restaurant named “St George and the Dragon.” He knocked at the back door and asked if he might have a bite of some leftovers to eat. A very stern lady looked the fellow in the eye and said, “I’ll not give you one crumb! You’re a fit fellow – get yourself a job, you bum!” And then to punctuate her point, she slammed the door in the fellow’s face. The shabbily dressed fellow stood looking at the establishment’s sign for a moment and then knocked, again. The door opened and the same stern lady asked in a hateful voice, “Well, what is it you want now!?” “I was just wondering,” he said, “could I please speak to St George this time?”

There's a wonderful legend about Saint Francis who one day informed his brethren that he planned to go into the nearby village on a preaching mission. He invited a novice to go along. On their way, they passed an injured man and Francis promptly stopped, saw to the poor fellow's needs, and arranged medical care for him. They went on and soon passed a homeless man who was near starvation. Again, Francis stopped his journey and ministered to the hungry, homeless man. So it went, throughout the day: people in need, and Francis lovingly caring for them as best he could until the sun was low in the sky. He told his novice friend it was time for them to return, now, to the monastery for evening prayers. The young man queried, "But, you said we were coming to town to preach to the people." Francis smiled and then said, "My friend, that's what we've been doing all day." 

[Matthew 25:31-46] Those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, took in the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the prisoner heard these words from the King, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Paul wrote, Titus 3:8, “…those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” The Hebrews writer stated, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”

Enter the devil, stage left. He and those deceived by him consistently repeat, “No good deed goes unpunished.” And sometimes it seems the devil is right. A godly wife does all she can to live the truth of 1 Peter 3:1-6, but her husband doesn’t respond with love. He intensifies his cruelty and rebellion to God. Godly parents do all they can to live the truth of Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4, but their children neither appreciate nor internalize godly training. Godly elders attempt to live up to the truth of Hebrews 13:17, but some brethren see them as meddlesome and overbearing. Godly Christians do their best to apply Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1-2, but they are accused of trying to force their religion on others. Sadly, all this happens and Satan gloats when he persuades some that righteousness costs far more than it pays.

Happily, scripture countermands each of the devil’s lies. It’s just not true that “no good deed goes unpunished.” Rather, in this sin-damaged world, it’s more accurate to say that “few good deeds go unchallenged.” Satan opposes good, especially good that’s done in the name of Christ. Why? Because the devil knows that good deeds honor God, help people, and mold Christian character. What the devil opposes, God commends. In God’s divine grace and mercy for the faithful, we can say, “No good deed goes unnoticed” – “No good deed goes unappreciated” and “No good deed goes unrewarded.” We have God’s word on these truths. Love the Lord and no good deed will go unrewarded! Voting is a good deed.