Partnering in Good Deeds

Resources/Articles

Edwin Crozier
10/06/13 - Zealous for Good Deeds

If you were asked what is the greatest good deed anyone could do for another, you would likely say, “Share the Gospel.” Clearly, greater than any monetary gift, greater than any emotional support, greater than anything else is welcoming folks into the forgiveness and freedom in Jesus.

We certainly need to be busy getting that good message out at home. At the same time, we are surrounded by a world of lost sinners. They are everywhere, in every country, speaking every language, following every custom. We can’t physically be in two places at once. But we can be a part of good deeds in more than one place at a time.

In Philippians 1:3-5, Paul said, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (ESV). Then again in Philippians 4:15, “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only” (ESV).

Do you see what Paul calls the Philippians? They are partners. None of them were traveling with him. None of them were actually doing any teaching. However, the Philippian congregation was in partnership with him. They were in fellowship by way of their gift to meet his needs as he did the good work of teaching the gospel. They had a share in his good deeds because they were sending a gift to him.

I recognize this is talking about a congregation. But the same could be said on an individual level. When we support a brother who is busy in the good deeds of spreading the gospel, we partner with him even though we are not physically there. Of course, while financial partnership is a very big help, if you can’t swing that, there are other things you can do.

With the web and e-mail, it is easier to make contact with our brethren the world over than ever before. Why not contact some evangelist and just ask what help he needs. Don’t go to the elders and let them know; just meet the need. Then you will be a partner in those good deeds.

You can contact those we support or have supported based on the reports we post. If you are interested in partnering individually, Bob Buchanon is here with us today and you can talk to him about ways to help him. No doubt, he will also know about other gospel preachers in need of support and partnering. Why not spend some time today in prayer for the brothers we support? Why not send an e-mail to one of them tomorrow to let them know you are praying for them and find out what else they need help with? Why not talk with them about others they know in need? Why not partner in these good deeds with those who are having an impact in places you aren’t and multiply the impact of your good deeds?

—Edwin L. Crozier