“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).

I was writing yesterday about the inward and outward nature of Christ’s church, as to how He would have it; here, in Paul’s words, we have a snapshot of what that looks like.  We are to do good to all people, that is those outside the church; as well as, and especially, to those who are on the inside.  

I note that it is “as we have opportunity.”  That is to say, ‘when we have a chance, as a situation avails itself for us.’  We need not be making things happen; no, instead, and like Paul, we are praying and looking for open doors for effective ministry (see 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3).  

I recall what Graham Cooke said about opportunity:  “When the opportunity of a lifetime comes you must make sure you respond within the lifetime of the opportunity.”  Opportunity is just that; it is a door that opens for just a time, after which it may never be opened again.  

We as the people of God ought be on the lookout for such things; it is God who opens doors that no man can shut, and who shuts doors that no man can open.  In other words, be looking for opportunities, as there are likely far more than what you have been aware of to date.  

Just before making this statement, Paul writes, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (verse 9).  I think the ESV puts it better:  “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  That is the temptation, or maybe better said, the inclination, to grow weary.  I know the feeling.  What is being said here is, basically, to keep on keeping on.  Keep doing good; as you have opportunity, take it, both to those inside and outside the church.  

The word is, “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”  And, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”  There is a big “if” here; the reaping comes “if” you do not grow weary.  So what of us who are weary?  

I think a man can become weary if he takes on things that God has not had him take on.  For sure, even the best of saints get tired–the Lord Himself got tired of His journeys.  But weariness, I think, is different.  I see it, or rather feel it, as being worn out.  Like an old car that has seen its better days, or shoes that no longer hold together.  

There is a remedy, however; it is coming to Jesus (Matthew 11) and waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40).  Too, it is taking the opportunities God puts before you–not those He hasn’t.  

We were created by God to do good works; let us always be mindful of that. Once saved, we are to go about the business of both discovering our purpose and then putting our hands to the plow, not looking back.  I think that if a man is walking in the good works that God prepared for him from before the foundation of the world, he may get tired from time to time, but he will not grow weary and lose heart.  

I think God gives opportunity in complete accord with what He has called and gifted a man for.  

It’s like the requests for donations I get in the mail and online; once the word gets out that you have given to some charity or ministry, you are flooded with appeals.  Yet I believe God puts it into your heart what He wants you to give to–first, of course, is the tithe and offering to your church; after that, it is what He directs you to do.  Otherwise, you would go broke giving to all who ask.  

Each Christian is created for some special assortment of works unique to him.  Let him stay within the confines of those works.  The doors open and the opportunities avail themselves uniquely to him.  It is the man who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and who has learned to follow His lead that bears the most fruit.  I know there are a lot of things I can do, but what does God want me to do?  I have done a lot of things I can do, even wanted to do; whether God wanted me to or not is questionable.  

Everyone is worthy of our good deeds; my family, my co-workers, my neighbors–but especially my brothers and sisters in Christ.  But, again, it is while God gives me an opportunity.  Not all doors are those that I am to walk through; just the one God has said, “Walk through this one.”  Which, as an aside, is for me by the word of the Lord the door of rest.  

There is some reaping to be had; I must not neglect that.  Of course, if you care only for yourself you will reap accordingly; what you will get is corruption.  But if you care for others, as the word says here, what you get is eternal life.  

You reap what you sow.  So many refer to this in a financial sense, and this is true.  But it is more inclusive that that; in fact, it is all inclusive.  We are all sowing all the time, and we are all reaping all the time.  If you want to be reaping something different than you are, then you have to be sowing something different.  This pertains to all of life, the big things and the little things.  The point is to be doing good, to get outside yourself and to be doing good as God would have you.  If you do good you will reap good.  The best way to the good life is to be doing good so others can have a good life.  

But, again, it is while we have opportunity.