“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.” Proverbs 3:27

When you look at the life of Christ in the Gospels, you see a life lived for others. Peter summarized our Lord’s earthly ministry by saying that He “went about doing good.” Jesus Himself declared, “I came not to be ministered to, but to minister.” If we are truly to follow in His steps (see 1 Peter 2:21), our lives will be marked by an outward focus, a deliberate turning of our attention toward the needs of others.

Did you wake up this morning thinking about how you might be a blessing to someone else? Perhaps to your wife, your children, your coworkers, or even a stranger who crosses your path? Do you pray that God would open your eyes to see the good you might offer someone in need? To encourage us in that direction, consider three blessings that come from doing good.

1. It provides a broader perspective.

You may have heard the old saying, “I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet.” Doing good has a way of lifting our eyes off our own problems and refocusing our attention on the needs of others. In fact, the great Puritan theologian Thomas Watson defined mercy as “a melting disposition whereby we lay to heart the miseries of others and are ready on all occasions to be instrumental for their good.” When we serve, our world grows larger, and our troubles, though still real, are placed in clearer perspective.

2. It produces a sense of fulfillment.

We are created in the image of a God who is infinitely good. Humanity was originally fashioned with both the desire and capacity to do good, until sin entered the picture and corrupted the soul. Have you ever noticed how you feel after helping someone else? There is a quiet satisfaction, even joy, that follows. Your soul is nourished because you have functioned as God intended. Scripture tells us that we were created in Christ Jesus for good works, and that deep sense of fulfillment reflects the character of our heavenly Father.

3. It promotes our spiritual growth.

Living for others inevitably makes us vulnerable to hurt. Jesus, the perfect Man, experienced rejection. He was misunderstood, despised, and ultimately killed. Years of ministry have taught me that those you serve most faithfully can sometimes hurt you most deeply. Yet even these painful experiences can become opportunities for spiritual growth.

When you suffer a physical wound, your body immediately begins the work of healing, and that healing is, in itself, a form of growth. Damaged tissue is replaced with new, healthy tissue. In much the same way, relational and emotional wounds can produce spiritual growth. As we respond with grace and love, we enter what the apostle Paul called “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).

Today, before making a mad dash into a cruel and hurried world, take a moment to pray. Ask God to make you a blessing to those around you. And when it is within your power to help someone else, receive that moment as a divine appointment, and discover anew the joy of doing good.