November 11

The Fruit Of The Spirit--Goodness

Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. — Acts 11:24 BSB

Goodness is the radiance of a pure and joyful Christian soul. It is quick to notice and magnify the good in others, just as Barnabas did. His goodness was evident when he sought out Saul in Tarsus, refusing to be jealous of his gifts. His generous donation of his inheritance and his ministry of encouragement among the disciples also testified to his goodness.

Such goodness doesn’t come naturally to us. It is the fruit of our union with the true Vine, the Holy Spirit flowing through us like sap. Before we can be the “good man” for whom some would dare to die, we must be grafted into Christ so that His goodness transforms our sour dispositions.

The real test of goodness comes when we are bound, as Abigail was, to a person of poor character (1 Samuel 25:3). She was beautiful, wise, and tactful. Her words, which stopped David from taking revenge on Nabal, were full of sense and grace. David thanked her for saving him from a rash act he would have regretted for the rest of his life. Nabal, her husband, was a harsh and foolish man. What a burden it must have been for this noble woman to be married to such a person! This is a true test of goodness—a triumph of God’s grace.

Guard against stinginess and greed. Be generous in your giving to every good cause. Resist the temptation to second-guess your initial intentions, for they are often more trustworthy than the doubts that follow. Always be quick to praise and highlight the noble and admirable qualities in others.

It was said of Charles Kingsley: "No fatigue was too great for him to forget the courtesy of a less weary moment, no business too pressing to prevent him from showing kindness and sympathy. His unwavering commitment to high and noble living was one of the great works of his life."

Prayer

Teach us to have a wholesome, gracious influence on everyone we meet, reflecting Christ’s sweetness in every look and gesture. May every act we do carry the light we have received from Him. Let the world be better today because we live in it. Amen.