A “Good” Man 4/20/41
Scripture: Matthew 19: 16-26.
Text: Matthew 19: 17; “....there is none good but one, that is, God....”
A young man still in his virile and vital years, a ruler of other men, controller and director of many possessions - much wealth, ethically sound in his personal conduct, since he observed carefully all of the commandments, came to Jesus. He was doubtless rated a “good” man in his community, was this rich young ruler. But he was nevertheless dissatisfied, else he would not have come to Jesus. He evidently felt that something was lacking in his life. He wanted to be sure of getting all of the possible good in life and of inheriting eternal life. And so he came with this question: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Jesus, who was always quick to discern evasion or insincerity, saw that the question did not ring quite true. For one thing, the salutation, “Good Master,” may have sounded a bit flattering as though the man desired to curry favor with Jesus and to receive in turn some flattering answer and easy suggestions. Furthermore, the question may have sounded a bit as though the man wanted in some way to buy a reward and hoped that he could do so. He was looking for an easy way to find satisfaction and peace of mind for himself. He wanted to do something easy rather than be something difficult.
The first part of Jesus’ answer was a rebuke to that lurking insincerity and evasion. “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” The more I think of it, the more I feel the profound and far-reaching truth in that reply. There is none completely and perfectly good except God, and our souls reaching toward God in yielded faith know that he is good and that there is none good as he is good.
What do we mean, then, when we speak of a “good” man? Obviously, we speak in relative terms. We mean that he is better than some others. Or we mean that his good points outnumber his bad points. Perhaps we mean that, because of his efforts and abilities he is valuable to his fellow men. Something about his living seems good.
If we were to examine more closely the lives of several “good” men, we should undoubtedly find out several very interesting things about them. I feel sure that we should find, for one thing, that they keep themselves mentally alert. Good living involves using one’s brains, knowing what is going on and observing what is to be seen. Just as a body needs exercise to develop it and keep it fit and strong, a mind needs exercise and testing in order that it may keep fit for its work. A sluggish mind makes many unnecessary mistakes, and unnecessary mistakes come within the realm of evil - not good. The “good” man is mentally alert.
He is also, usually, physically fit. One good man may be stronger than another, but each does his best, if he is really trying to be a good man, to keep in good physical fitness for his job.
I suspect that an examination of the lives of several good men would reveal an effort to be efficient; this is, to make all of their work count, to avoid wasting time and goods and energy and talent that ought to be put to good uses. Real wastefulness is evil, so I would look for the good man to be quite an efficient man. (Though he will not make a “god” of efficiency.)
We would expect the good man, also, to be a man of good morals. That is, he would pay attention to, and observe, the principles that people have tested out and found good ever since the Ten Commandments were given. He will respect God and men. He will not lie, steal, commit adultery, kill, or covet. That is, his ethics will be found good.
None of the men we studied would be found good, I believe, unless he paid attention to spiritual things. And by things of the spirit, I mean such things as “duty,” “responsibility,” “loyalty,” “devotion.” These are values found among people of any prominent religious faith - Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Mohammedan, or other. When these spiritual values are observed, they make social living worthwhile, and make a man self-respecting and respected by others.
There is another thing that often characterizes a good man, though not always. The words “good” and “goods” come from the same stem. Therefore, a “good” man usually has some goods - enough to make himself respectable, to provide for those dependent upon him, to free him reasonably from the fear of poverty, want, destitution, that is so degrading to lives that could otherwise be beautiful. A man can be better fit, physically, efficiently, mentally, ethically, spiritually, if he has a reasonable amount of the world’s goods. That is one reason why the church has always stood against poverty. There may be virtue in enduring one’s own lacks. There is never virtue in decreeing want for others.
Yes, a “good” man would probably be found to be mentally alert, physically fit, efficient, ethically sound, spiritually sensitive and possess of some goods.
The rich young ruler who came to Jesus embodied, we may believe, all of these qualities. Yet he was very imperfect. He realized that he was imperfect though his heart would not admit, even to himself, what was the trouble. Jesus knew it, and pointed out to him the trouble, trying to make him see it.
There are many things that stand between men and perfection - between men and god-likeness. With some, it is fear or hatred or jealousy; with others, greed or covetousness, or avarice; with others lust or desire for selfish power. (Sin is what a man allows to stand between himself and his possibilities for God-like perfection.)
I said a moment ago that the words “good” and “goods” come from the same stem. There is still a third word which comes from the same stem. It is “God.” “God” - the greatest, the highest “good.” “God” - the perfect.
The curse of man, and his challenge, is that he is so imperfect. The hope of man is his God and his ability to heed a command of Jesus when he said, “Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”
The curse, the greatest imperfection, of the rich young ruler was that having much “goods,” he could not use them for “good.” He had formed a stubborn habit of regarding his goods as part of his own selfish entity rather than as a treasure entrusted by God to his capable care for the relief not only of his own poverty but of the poverty and hopelessness of others around him. He couldn’t let go of his goods when Jesus suggested that method of spiritual discipline, and of breaking a bad habit. And so he lost an opportunity to perfect his living with himself and among his fellowmen - to be more “good,” more “God-like.”
Do you sometimes feel that you are not good enough? Well, it is a stern fact that none of us are good enough! I dare not speak to you save as one who knows his serious imperfections, as one who ought to live a great deal better.
I wonder if you find that there is some fault, or perhaps more than one fault, that keeps you, not so much from doing what you ought to do, as from being what you ought to be. If you are conscious of some such faults, search them out diligently; pray earnestly that God will search and know your heart, will see if there be any wicked way in you, will help you to pluck it out and cast it from you, that you may walk adventurously, fearlessly, enthusiastically, faithfully in the way everlasting.
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Dates and places delivered:
Kahului Union Church, September 24, 1933
Puunene Japanese Church, October 8, 1933
Pauwela Hawaiian Church, October 15, 1933
Paia Japanese church, October 15, 1933
Puunene Hawaiian church, October 22, 1933
Huelo Hawaiian Church, October 29, 1933
Wailuku Union church, November 5, 1933
Wananalua Church, Hana, April 15, 1934
Waihee Hawaiian Church, June 10, 1934
Kahakuloa Hawaiian Church, August 26, 1934
Kahului Union Church, July 21, 1935
Puunene Hawaiian Church, September 1, 1935
Pilgrim Church, Honolulu, October 25, 1936 PM
Bishop Memorial Church, March 14, 1937 AM
Wisconsin Rapids, April 20, 1941
W.F.H.R., Wisconsin Rapids, May 27 1941