Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16
Think of all the things you can share – a meal, a car ride, information, or share wisdom gained through experience, or best of all, share the Good News of the Gospel. Koinõnia is a Greek term used in today’s verse to express the sharing of a common life. It could depict an ideal society living in harmony, but sin has a habit of twisting the ideal into less than utopia, especially when referring to relationships.
Koinõnia speaks of the distinct fellowship in the family of Christ… a bond as brothers and sisters between those who have a relationship with the Lord – a unique relationship secured for believers by the blood of Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells his readers that part of their responsibility in this new fellowship is to do good to others. He says don’t forget, don’t overlook, don’t neglect. Sometimes sharing with others will be a sacrifice.
Whether you give out of your abundance or from your necessities, caring for others is pleasing to the Lord. The verse prior to today’s verse reminds you to offer sacrifices of praise to God – “the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” He is magnified and exalted as you give of your time, your talents, and your possessions. God is to be praised in word and deed.
As people in society today are as focused on self as they have ever been, it is the koinõnia that will be the example of how the love of God responds to those who cry out for help. Pray for those in governing positions in this nation that they will come to know the Lord and the sweet fellowship shared by believers in Christ.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
