A GOOD DEED
image courtesy of fotosearch.com
I think it was Bill Shakespeare who said it or wrote it first, “No good deed goes unpunished.” It didn’t make sense to me the first time I heard it while young, but since that time I’ve learned that while it shouldn’t be true or make sense, it certainly is and does often when one does a good deed.
My guess is that everyone reading this has done something extraordinarily nice and gracious for someone else, only to have the receiver of that grace turn on them and actually treat them like an enemy. In our modern society, it seems to be more prevalent than in times gone by.
The emotional wrestling match always happens between two kinds of people in our world; the givers and the takers.
I had a friend years back who always seemed to stumble on hard times. In truth they were all brought on by his own actions, but he was a friend and you know the old saying about friends, “A friend in need is a friend indeed!” So I was elected the friend indeed…
After bailing my buddy out of jams time after time, the last time I did, I told him not to ask me to bail him out ever again. Was he gracious and say something like, “Well thanks for all you have done for me, I appreciate it?” Of course not, it was all resentment… He figured I somehow owed him and expected me to act as the dad to a spoiled child.
Many of us have witnessed the stinging bite of an unappreciative taker… Takers take. And it doesn’t matter what you give, they want more. Whatever a person gives a true taker it won’t be enough. The taker can’t be satisfied with what they believe will appease them.
Have you ever noticed that the takers in life take everything they can from others except advice? Even when they do hear the advice they choose not to follow it and the merry-go-round of their lives continue.
I suppose we’re all guilty of taking and not giving as we should from time to time, especially from a Biblical perspective. The traits of those of us who know the grace, mercy, and love of our heavenly Father should be marked by the same traits He shows us.
The takers that use the brain, air, food, water, and shelter provided by God, deny His gifts and His existence. Some even curse Him…
I guess Bill Shakespeare knew something of our fallen human nature. What he didn’t account for is those of us who have been given the supernatural power to live in God’s spirit above our fallen flesh.
We no longer are subject to the instincts of an animal…
Nor do we bite the Hand that feeds us…
Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 9:16 am
The human flesh never ceases to amaze me Floyd. Do something nice and it is expected again. Your case is a major example. Random acts of kindness, no matter how innocuous it sounds, are still important. But appreciation is nice. 🙂 I have to tell myself that even though one may have mistreated it not everyone will.
Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 9:36 am
I hear you, Bill. We do it for the One we serve, not the ones in need or otherwise. It’s a reminder to me to think with a heavenly perspective and keep from being calloused. Thanks.
Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 7:21 pm
I agree that there are persons who have designated themselves as the receivers, and expect you to take care of their needs. Even for those organization who cry for your donations, it is good to research and see how much goes for administration and the amount that actually ends up doing good. Years ago my Grandmother faithfully send a monthly offering to a radio preacher she enjoyed listening to. He begged for money. One summer she and her husband went on a little trip and decided to pay a surprise visit to this preacher. They found him in shorts sunning himself by his lovely pool in his beautiful mansion. Grandma decided they needed the money more than he did and she was right. I discontinued giving to a food for the children organization when I discovered there was discord among the staff and they had kicked the founder and his wife out of the organization. Discord is bad news and my $10 a month did not hurt them much, but I placed it elsewhere.
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 4:28 pm
Good point, Hazel. I know we need to care for the ones who can’t care for themselves, but there is abuse due to the fallen nature of mankind. I was reading today where Paul told the Christians that if they didn’t work, they didn’t eat. He also inspired the ones to encourage the ones who didn’t want to work to work. It’s been a while since I’d read that. For those of us who know the gratification of hard work and sacrifice, I’d say we are the truly blessed. Thanks, Hazel.
Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 11:05 pm
It is amazing when you do certain things for people how they come to expect it,rather than appreciate it. I suppose we all struggle with that, but as you mentioned, we have received a super natural power to over come it.
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 4:30 pm
It is our nature, huh, Mike? It is a test for all of us, but we need a reminder now and again. Think how God feels when we treat His gifts and provision like He had nothing to do with it. Kinda puts things in perspective. Thanks, Mike.
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 11:01 am
Ha, I love your point about takers taking everything except our advice. That’s so true. I would like to think of myself as a giver, but I know there are times when I get stuck in my own ways and don’t want to listen to anybody else. That’s the same arrogance which turns someone into an entitled taker.
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
Perfectly said, Loren! We all tend to fall into our weak flesh don’t we? I’m grateful for the fellowship of believers that keep us in constant check. Thanks, Man!
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 1:14 pm
Poignant post for this time of year especially. Takers gonna take, I LOVE that! It is difficult for me, but trying to remember whom I serve puts my focus back on God. I tend to try to appease the takers in my own strength, all the while complaining.
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 4:34 pm
I hope you don’t feel too alone, Audra! We’re all in this together. That’s kinda the point of it. We all have something that we fail at. All the good that we have and do belong to the One who provides… we just tend to forget… Thanks, Audra. Hope you had a great Christmas with your hubby and boys… well, young men I should say!
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 2:32 pm
I too like your point about takers taking everything but advice. Got to write that one down and keep it before me as we deal with those that are like that. Often when we go out to eat with the pastor of the churches we share in. We have made it a practice to insist on buying their lunch. Each time we have done this they will remark that usually the missionary is the one taken out to lunch. Now in our ministry we always pay the check when we take a missionary out for a meal. Some have remarked how much they appreciate us driving miles to take them out to lunch. We usually share with them the practice of taking pastors out to lunch or a supporter. So far God has provided us with funds when needed. Jesus was never a taker, always a giver. Great post Floyd.
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 4:37 pm
Thanks, Betty. Wow. Perfect analogy. Literally! Jesus was never a taker. Leave it to you to take it to the next level! You tend to make those around you wiser. I appreciate your perspective and heart, Betty. Our Father is never short of anything and as His children neither are we unless we rely on our flesh, then we never have enough of anything. If you get to AZ I’m buying! My honor…
Sunday, December 30, 2012 @ 11:09 am
A couple things went through my mind when reading your post. First the importance of boundaries within our relationships. It’s good to help other people but need to know when our helping is only hurting the other person. And the law of sowing and reaping, if we sow good then we will reap good. However, this does not mean we will never face trials and challenges:)
Great post Floyd!
Sunday, December 30, 2012 @ 1:30 pm
Thanks, Dan. Great points and parallels to the subject. Reaping and sowing, I need to ponder that a bit. Nice.
Monday, December 31, 2012 @ 4:57 am
It’s great that God gives us the ability to graciously give even with no appreciation in return. He who gave is His Son cannot deny us the best.
I too have had to stand my ground and let some takers go, forgiven them because I have been guilty of the same. I am comforted by God when He says we shall reap in due time, that we don’t give up in doing good.
Loving the comments here. Thanks for the great post Floyd.
Monday, December 31, 2012 @ 12:53 pm
Thanks, Maureen. It takes wisdom and seeking God to know when it’s time to act. It often is usually the harder thing to do… Our best gifts fall immeasurably short compared to His. Great point.