Prov. 24:17F
“Don't gloat when your enemy falls,
and don't let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the LORD will see, be
displeased, and turn His wrath away from him.” Holman Christian Standard Bible)
INTRO: To gloat is to revel or
rejoice. "Do not gloat over your brother's day, the day of his misfortune.
And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; yes,
do not boast in the day of their distress.” (New American Standard Bible)
II. GOODNESS EXAMPLE IN THE OLD
TESTAMENT
A.2 Kings
6:22 (Israel defeats Syria) Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to
Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He
answered, "You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken
captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them that
they may eat and drink and go to their master." So he prepared a great
feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away and they
went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again
into the land of Israel.
B. 2 Chron. 28:14 (Syria defeats Judah) so the
soldiers gave up the prisoners and plunder in the presence of the officials and
all the assembly. The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the
plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and
sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on
donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow Israelites at Jericho, the City
of Palms, and returned to Samaria.
C. Exodus 23:5 (God told Moses for the Israelites
to do) “If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its
load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.”
II. GOODNESS EXAMPLE IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT
A.Mt 5:44 “But
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
(KJV)
B. Lk 6:35 “But love your enemies, do good to
them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward
will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to
the ungrateful and wicked.” (NIV)
C. 1 Thess 5:15 “See that no one pays back evil
for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” (New
Living Translation)
CONCLUSION: (Gal 6:10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men],
especially unto them who are of the household of faith. It is very important
that Paul prefaced his instructions about doing good with the phrase "As
we have therefore opportunity." It isn't possible for one individual to
solve all the problems and right all the wrongs that exist in the world. Often,
sincere people fall prey to guilt and condemnation because they can't support every
worthy effort, but Paul said to help "as we have...opportunity." We
all know people who need help. We also come in contact with opportunities to
help through our churches and other organizations.
We need to take advantage of
these opportunities with a priority placed on helping fellow Christians, but we
must be realistic and refuse taking on more than what is right. The Scriptures
instruct us to walk in God's love toward all people--believers and unbelievers
alike. Jesus told us to love our enemies (Mt 5:44). But here, Paul placed a
priority on helping fellow Christians. This does not diminish our
responsibility to show God's love to unbelievers. Instead, Paul was simply
saying, "Charity must start at home." It would be hypocritical to
step over hurting brothers and sisters in the Lord to go find unbelievers to
minister to. (ANDREW WOMACK MINISTRIES)
