Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people… (Galatians 6:10)

I used to walk to work through a back alley in an impoverished neighbourhood. It was an ugly place, and the overfull bins always seemed to have tipped over, spilling their foul contents into the lane. My nose was assaulted every day by the nauseating, sickly-sweet odour of the garbage. I did not enjoy this walk, but it was the shortest path to work.

As a new Christian, my conscience was troubled by the spilled garbage. I had learned that I must “do good to all people” and “love my neighbour”. So should I stop every morning, stain my crisp white business shirt, and shovel up the garbage by hand? Wouldn’t that be loving? 

It sounds bit ridiculous in hindsight, but at the time this question really bothered me. Really, we are faced with decisions like this every day. There are unlimited opportunities to “do good” in this very broken world. Am I obliged to attempt them all? If not, how do I choose?

To answer these questions, we need to recognise that we have different degrees of obligation in different relationships. For example, Scripture states that I have a special obligation to provide for my children, which is why it would be wrong for me to starve them in order to feed someone else. A bit of thought will show this principal applies in other areas of life too.

Regarding the spilled rubbish, it occurred to me that I actually had an obligation to my employer, both to arrive on time, and also in a fit state to work. Scripture enjoins us to work hard in order to earn our own keep (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10) - something we could not do if we neglected work in order to practice random acts of kindness. Indeed, diligently performing my work is a means of loving my neighbour, by providing him with services, by paying taxation, and by supporting myself and my family rather than being a burden on the community.

Some people are never bothered by these questions. They effortlessly and intuitively navigate the various responsibilities of life. But others are plagued by feelings of guilt and failure as they try to do everything for everyone. Yet we can’t do everything, and it is a mark of wisdom and maturity to recognise that, to make these sometimes difficult decisions, then to be at peace.