Women of Good Works

Good Works

The first thing that comes to mind is that our good works identify us as God’s children to a lost and dying world. Matthew 5:16 says In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

It does not say that our light shines because of our personal devotions, giving, or prayer life; although these private things have a direct impact on our works. This passage is clear that our good works bring glory to the Father. What are the good works we can be doing? As the church and larger body of Christ, we can do larger-scale works to bring glory to God. Examples of such works would be: food drives, ministry to the homeless, prison ministry, teen mother ministry, school ministries, college ministries, the list is endless. As individuals we can do good works for our neighbors, or through one of these larger more organized activities. Christ ministered to physical needs during His earthly ministry. These miracles and other physical acts of kindness were done because of the deeper heart needs of the people with whom He came in contact.

As women, I believe we are specifically called to do good works. Timothy says that women who profess godliness should be adorned with good works. He also says that the widows in the church that will be cared for should be “well reported of good works”. Her works were the outward manifestation of her godly heart. In Proverbs 31 we see the Virtuous Woman lauded for her good works. It says nothing about her personal spiritual life, because her works show the abundance of her heart. Dorcas was known by her church because of the good work she did for the poor. Time and again women are known for their works and I think that is how a woman’s heart is revealed.

I also think based on Galatians 6 that we should place a priority on doing good for the household of faith. I think this is a principle throughout Scripture. If you cannot take care of your own how can you properly take care of others? I can assure you that I do not look at families who fight and argue all the time for advice on how to love and find peace. That wouldn’t make any sense. I think of the qualifications for a pastor, he has to be able to take care of his own family, in order to care for the church properly. In the same way, we should be doing good within the Body of Christ, and those good works should be so rich that we cannot help but do good for the world around us.

Good works show the transformation of the Gospel within our lives. Our works can reflect the love of Christ and shine the light on the goodness of God to work in spite of our flesh.