Do a Little Good, Just Because

There is a quote that is widely circulated yet the original source is unknown. It is one of my favorite quotes, one that has been on my mind: "The true measure of a man is how he treats those who can do absolutely nothing for him."

Jesus' mission and ministry, with the Atonement, Resurrection, the gospel and the plan of salvation, had influence on more people across all ages in the history of the world than any other person. But one of the things that impresses me most about the life and ministry of Jesus is his attention to "The One."

The New Testament is filled with stories of Jesus being interrupted along the way and he stopped and made a significant influence on the life of an individual, and often a stranger. A few examples are healing and teaching the woman with the issue of blood, respecting "the sinner" who washed his feet with her tears, healing the blind man (men) and lepers, and spending time with the woman at the well. The idea of caring for individual people was a regular theme in his teachings. One of the most poignant is the parable of the Good Samaritan, a man who didn't just stop along his journey to treat an injured stranger, but carried the man to nearby town and paid a doctor to care for his needs and recovery.

Hugo E. Martinez taught, "The Savior focuses on the individual and the family. His love and tender attention to the individual have taught me that He recognizes the great worth of each of Heavenly Father's children and that it is essential for us to ensure that each individual is ministered to and strengthened by the gospel of Jesus Christ."

We often get focused on the big goals and priorities that we overlook the needs of people around us. But God often answers people's prayers through other people, and we could be that other person.

Perhaps my favorite of Jesus' teachings is from Matthew 25: " Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked and ye clothed me, I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

The Book of Mormon prophet and writer named Mormon taught, "If ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail, but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love."

I hope that we can be more like Jesus, who "went about doing good" (Acts 10). Everyone around us is a child of Heavenly Father, and often all they need is a little bit of help and a little bit of time. And we often never know the positive impact we can have on people by a kind word, act, or few minutes but sometimes it can be significant.