Day 16, GIFT #16 – Give the gift of goodness

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:21)

Goodness is the sixth of the nine spiritual fruits that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of born againbelievers. (See Gal. 5:22-23). God produces this fruit in you to be shared with others.

Today, give others the gift of goodness

In Victor Hugo’s classic masterpiece, Les Misérables, he tells the story of a man named Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for 19 years because he stole a loaf of bread. Once he is released hecannot find anywhere to work or stay because he is an ex-convict. He finally finds a compassionate bishop who takes him in, but he repays the man’s kindness by stealing his silverware and slipping away in the night.

The police arrest Valjean and bring him back to the bishop to be charged, but in a stunning display of mercy, the bishop tells the guards that the silverware was a gift and demands that they release him. He challenges Valjean to take the silver and use it to become an honest man—a moment that powerfully transforms his life.

It is easy for us to forget just how powerful and redemptive mercy can be. It is also easy for us to forget that none of us were actually deserving of mercy. The bishop had no way of knowing that Valjean would actually keep his promise and become a better man. In the same way, Jesus had no guarantee that we would all receive His sacrifice on the cross, but He did it anyway, making our redemption possible.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:10)

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” -  Henry David Thoreau