“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” — Titus 3:14 ESV
Paul’s closing words to Titus aren’t just administrative, they’re deeply relational. He reminds the early church that a life of faith must overflow into a life of service. It’s not enough to believe the gospel; we’re called to embody it together.
Notice Paul says, “let our people learn.” Devotion to good works isn’t automatic, it’s something we grow into. It takes practice, community, and intentionality. We learn how to love by being around those who love well. We learn generosity by walking with others who give freely. In isolation, we wither. In community, we bear fruit.
To “help cases of urgent need” is more than responding to crisis; it’s becoming a people attentive to the Spirit and to one another. The early believers didn’t outsource compassion—they organized their lives around it. Their shared devotion to good works became the evidence of Christ’s presence among them.
A fruitful community is one where needs don’t go unnoticed and where love looks like something tangible—meals shared, prayers offered, hands extended. This is how the gospel takes on flesh in our neighborhoods, churches, and workplaces.
Reflection:
What would it look like if every member of the Body devoted themselves this week to meet one real, urgent need around them? Imagine the fruit that would grow from a people who live not for themselves, but for one another.
And that’s the mid-week memo.
