Food for Thought: Doing Well vs. Doing Good

“Doing well” refers to the state of our physical, mental, spiritual and financial health. “Doing good” refers to how other people and situations are affected, depending on what we are doing on their behalf. But do we have to be doing well to do good?

My mother-in-law was one of the most generous people I have ever known. I heard many stories from my husband about her generosity. He often talked about acts of kindness his mother would extend to neighbors who were less well off than their own family, who at times were struggling themselves. It was not that the food or other things she would provide were expensive, in monetary terms, but it let people know that she cared and was willing to share what little they had. For example, she would send something extra in her own son’s lunch for him to share with a child whom he had observed having nothing but a cold mashed-potato sandwich for his lunch at school. She would send a hot casserole to any family whose mother was ill or had recently given birth.

Involving her children in her acts of kindness helped them learn generosity as well. My husband and his siblings were also well known for their kindheartedness. That generous influence has extended to the generations that have followed. For example, our daughter donates her time and effort to organizations that provide comfort items for children and adults who are suffering. As of this writing, she has personally crocheted or sewn over 284 blankets for hospitalized children through her “Linus” club. The organization is named after the Peanuts cartoon character who drags his “blankie” everywhere. She has also created a number of prayer shawls for a Methodist church group to use as they comfort and pray for people who are hurting. When I had a broken wrist and my daughter could not easily come to help me, nieces were some of the first to come to my aide.

Proverbs 11:24 states: "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” In other words, giving enriches the giver as much as the person to whom the gift is given. On the other hand, “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13 It’s our choice which way we decide to behave.