People ask me all the time how I decide what to write about.  It’s really very simple – it’s life events — something happens at least weekly, often daily, that I learn from.  And this week was a doozy!

My husband and I like to help people in need. We like to give people a hand-up instead of a hand-out.  Without breaching confidentiality, we learned that an individual desperately needed help or would face a fine he couldn’t afford to pay. Well, we had the resources and the know-how, so we decided to help. While doing our “good deed,” damage was made to a neighbor’s property — we’re talking big bucks here. To make a long story short, what started out as a good deed, became a punishment in our minds.

As soon as my husband told me what happened, I immediately thought of the phrase “No good deed goes unpunished.” After hearing that phrase all my life, I immediately thought, “well, every good deed goes unpunished.” All too often doing a good deed can come with a heavy price. Is the cost of doing good worth the reward? Is there even a reward?  Today’s culture might say no, but God’s Word shows us otherwise. After a deep dive I learned a good lesson.

Doing good can come with a heavy penalty. You can be mocked or insulted for doing the right thing. You can receive a reprimand from coworkers for going above and beyond. Sometimes in our attempts to do the right thing—to do good—we end up finding ourselves looking like a fool.

Just as it can be for those who strive to do good today, Jesus gave us countless examples of good works which caused Him to be despised and resented by His peers. Because He stood out—because He was the perfect example of right and good—Jesus received the full wrath of those who wanted more than anything to cut down and belittle His example. Jesus was crucified for standing out. 

Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would live with no hope for our future. Our lives would have no meaning. While Jesus knew that He would be despised, He also knew good deeds come with a reward.

Doing right is never a wrong decision. We have to stand up for what is right and just. We must do the things no one else wants to do for fear of being labeled, mocked, and ridiculed. Doing good deeds—serving others and stepping up even when it comes with a price—is what’s expected of us if we’re to count ourselves as true believers. Jesus’ actions and His own words tell us, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons [and daughters] of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (Luke 6:35).

After thinking about what happened this week, being labeled a “do-gooder” or being seen as one who “rocks the boat” by going above and beyond isn’t belittling. At times it can be tough to stand out from the crowd as someone who is always going to strive to do good, but it’s still the right thing to do. Always!

Our society tries to teach us that “no good deed goes unpunished.” But in the future, God promises a wonderful reward for good deeds motivated by godly love. So instead of “no good deed goes unpunished;” we should be saying “no good deed will go unrewarded.”

Think about it and let me know what you think.

Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries. Learn more about the ministry by liking our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CJEMinistries) and downloading our FREE mobile app (get.theapp.co) from App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, allow notifications to keep you up to date on what’s happening in Cary John Efurd Ministries. Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Feel free to comment at debbyefurd.com.