The first sentiment is about choice: ‘that they do good.’ Let's put it very basically. Have you got some money and you don't know what to do with it? Are you thinking about where best to invest it so that it will make more? No. If you don't need it, and it isn't vital for your security, then why not choose to do good with it? ‘That they do good’ – noble things. You should say, ‘I have been given resources by the Lord. My money is not mine, it's his. Therefore, I want it to be applied nobly. What's the noblest thing I can do with it? Of course, it is to spend it for the cause of Christ and of souls, and even out of compassion. I want it to be deployed nobly.’ So the first statement, ‘that they do good’, is about the use of whatever riches God has endowed you with. Make a conscious choice to apply what is the Lord's and steward it.
The next phrase: ‘that they be rich in good works.’ By using the word ‘rich’, Paul makes a comparison between this far greater sense of being rich and selfish the hoarding of earthly wealth. Some might view a person and ask, ‘What is he worth in money terms, in property terms, in substance terms?’ You don’t want to be looked at like that: in property terms, in substance terms. But we could ask the same question from the perspective of heaven. You want to be viewed by God as somebody who is rich in what you do for others, for the cause of God, for what you support, what you apply yourself to, what you spend your time on. Yes, you must provide for your family, and give time to the instruction of the children, but you choose also to advance the kingdom of heaven. You think of the all the work of your fellowship; you choose to deploy your substance for the Lord. Of course, we don't exhibit good works, we don't speak about them, it's just a concept. How am I measured by God in my effort for him and good works?
‘Ready to distribute’, and the operative word is ‘ready’, quick to respond. Some people hear about a great need, maybe a gospel need, maybe a compassionate need, and they hear about it, and others respond. And then belatedly, slowly, they respond a little. ‘Ready’ means always alert, and quick to respond to a real need. Paul isn't just saying the same thing over and over again.
‘Willing to communicate.’ Modern translations tend to use the word ‘share’. The Greek term translated here ‘communicate’ is the same word as is used in 1 Corinthians, ‘the communion of the Holy Spirit.’ Share is not quite the same. Supposing you have a little business, and somebody is your partner. The partner is the one who provides the capital, maybe, and you run the shop or do the work. Your partner is more than a sharer; he is a participant. You not only give, but you also participate in what you are giving. You pray for it, take an interest in it, keep up with it.