Let’s Get Good with Good

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

(Adapted from The Accent of Leadership by Steve Kelly)

 

In order to fully understand and receive God’s favor, you must become “good with good”.

Over the years, I have noticed that for many people, learning to be “good with good” can be challenging. What do I mean by “good with good”? From my perspective, learning to accept material blessings without apology or embarrassment is an indicator that you have learned to be “good with good.”

Many Christians approach favor and blessings with a shyness or even guilt. But God has great gifts for us. In Matthew 7:11 we read, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

God wants to bless us. He will give us good gifts because He is a good Father. I learned how to be good with good early on and it’s changed my life – and if you struggle with accepting God’s blessings, it will change your life too. I was insecure and felt inadequate. I grew up in an environment that reinforced the idea that “poverty was godly” and that having nice things meant you thought you were better than other people. Well, I had just gotten married to the girl of my dreams and I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility and the feeling of “it’s too good to be true.” I was so afraid I would do something to mess it all up. And in that moment God spoke to me in such a clear and audible way. He understood what I was going through.

Being good with good isn’t about your preferences. It’s not about your comfort. It’s not about what is convenient for you. It’s about other people. Until you learn to embrace all that God has for you, you cannot fulfill the work he has called you to. When you aren’t doing what you are called to do you are missing out on a unique and distinct job of reaching certain people.

The necessity to be good with good goes far beyond our public lives, however. It’s not just about where we work and the friends we have or even the gifts we receive. It’s about our walk with God. When we have faith to ask God to bring blessing for ourselves and others, it demonstrates maturity. Something I often say to my church is that faith is an internal redemption, not an outward cosmetic improvement process. Faith requires adjustment. It requires stepping out. It requires being good with good. When we are good with good we receive favor and are open to a greater opportunity to give to the vision and mission of the local church.

What steps can you take today to be good with good? Take a moment to pray and receive His best for your life. You are worth it and the people in your life are worth it, and the continuing work of the local church is worth it.