All week we’ve been exploring how we can be wealthy (regardless of how much money we have).

Our main verse has been 1 Timothy 6:18. Paul says: “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

So far I’ve asked you some critical gut-check questions. They’re supposed to help you evaluate whether you’re truly in a good position to be “rich in good deeds” and “generous and willing to share.”

Here’s today’s question:

Are you actively looking for opportunities to do good deeds?

The key words are “actively looking.”

For too many of us, we start the week in a hurry. We feel behind before we even get out the door. Plus, we can get stressed about what so-and-so said or X, Y, or Z.

That kind of a mindset turns our thoughts inward towards ourselves instead outward towards other people.

So when an opportunity comes up to do a good deed for someone, instead of seeing it as an opportunity, we can see it as a burden. It’s just one more thing to do.

So here’s what I encourage you to do:

Start your week with a different frame of mind. Pray for God to open your eyes to the good deeds that can be done. See them not as a burden, but an opportunity.

Immature people tend to think that challenges are problems to be avoided.
Mature people tend to think that challenges are opportunities to be seized.

Here’s a prayer to get you started:

Dear God,
Free me from the tyranny of a rushed life.
Remind me that you’re in control, no matter how much I spin and scurry.
Open my eyes to the opportunities to do good and be generous,
So that I can fly into today and tomorrow with your wings of purpose.
I pray these things in name of Jesus, the ultimate Giver.
Amen.

By Matthew Ruttan

• “Up!” is published 5 days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) and returns on November 7th.