Titus 3:14–Helping Others

He’s being hailed as an American hero by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

U. S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Scott Ruskan, was called upon to help during the torrential flood in Kerrville, Texas, during the 4th of July holiday.

It was the first rescue mission of his career and he was sent to Camp Mystic, where he was the first Coast Guard officer on the scene. In a GMA interview Ruskan said there were over 200 children who were all scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their lives.”

Noem said that Ruskan was directly responsible for saving 165 children and over 230 people from the deadly flood waters.

Most good deeds, unlike Ruskan’s are not nationally known or reported by the news media. But are done quietly, privately and individually on a much smaller scale. But they are no less appreciated by the recipient, that benefitted one person, one family, or one small community.

Among his various admonitions to Titus the apostle Paul offered this exhortation worthy of our thought today.

“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”

Think about the power and importance of this short, simple verse.

Our people

The Bible uses various words and terms of endearment referring to Christians. Saints. Disciples. Brethren. And Beloved. But “our people” is unique.

We speak of “our people” referring to family, a community, nationality or state. This text is speaking of God’s people. The family of Believers. The community belonging to Christ. God’s holy nation.

We should feel a kinship to “our people.” A special relationship. A bond the binds us together spiritually. Sadly, some folks are highly critical of “our people” even within the family. Stop and think. “Our people” are God’s people. Let’s love them. Appreciate them. And help them.  Furthermore, “our people” should be in the forefront of showing compassion, sharing love, and doing good.

Good works

We are to be about doing good works. The NASU renders this “good deeds.” Three times in Titus, the apostle encourages them to continue doing good deeds for others. Good works glorify God. Demonstrate our discipleship. And testify to an unbelieving world.

Everyone can engage in good deeds as we have opportunity. The rich. The poor. The young. The old. Singles. Married. Or widows. It doesn’t necessarily require a special talent to do a good deed. Maybe it is simply a kind word. A helping hand. Mowing a yard. An encouraging note. A meal. A few dollars. A gift book. Or babysitting a young mother’s children.

Urgent Needs

Some needs demand immediate attention. They are compelling. Critical. And crucial. Like the children trapped by rising flood waters at Camp Mystic.  The  cry for urgent help must be promptly heard and heeded.

People whose hearts are broken. The sick, suffering and those mourning need our care. The spiritually wayward. The troubled teen. The betrayed wife. The forsaken husband. The abused child. The dying friend. The questioning seeker of Truth. The weak brother. The fragile sister. These ought to command our assistance.

Fruitful

Doing good deeds is one way in which we bear fruit for the Lord. Since the “fruit of the Spirit” involves qualities such as love, kindness, and goodness, does it make sense that these traits are demonstrated in our good works? When we do good to our fellow man, we produce spiritual fruit for the Lord. When we fail to do good deeds we are unfruitful.

Finally, note one other important word in this passage–”learn.” Helping others doesn’t necessarily come automatically or instinctively. Some things we must be taught, trained, and developed as a mind set that looks beyond self-interest and sees the needs of our fellow man.

This simple verse reminds us, to paraphrase humanitarian and theologian Albert Schweitzer,  that the purpose of the Christian life is to serve, minister, show compassion, and make a difference as we help others.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman