But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
The book of Hebrews was written to a community of early Jewish Christians facing pressure and possibly persecution, tempted to abandon their new faith and return to familiar religious practices. The final chapter contains a series of warm, practical instructions for how to live faithfully in community. This verse uses the language of 'sacrifice' — a concept central to Jewish worship, which centered on offering animals at the temple as acts of devotion. The author is reframing that tradition: the sacrifices God now desires are not animals on an altar but acts of generosity and practical goodness shared with others. The word 'forget' is telling — it implies these actions are ordinary enough to slip your mind on a busy day, not grand enough to be unmissable.
God, I want to be someone who doesn't forget — who notices the need right in front of me and actually does something about it. Thank you that generosity isn't a burden to carry but an act of worship to offer. Give me eyes to see where I can do good today, and the will to follow through. Amen.
Here's what's easy to miss: the author says don't forget — not don't try, not don't achieve. The assumption is that you already know what goodness and generosity look like. The problem isn't knowledge. It's remembrance. In the noise and speed of a regular week, the kind impulse gets crowded out by the urgent and the self-protective, and by Thursday afternoon you haven't thought about anyone but yourself. Sacrifice is the word the author chooses, and it's honest about the cost. Sharing isn't always the surplus — it's sometimes the thing you were saving for yourself, the hour you didn't have, the energy already running on empty. But then comes this almost tender phrase: 'God is pleased.' Not impressed, not obligated, not running a ledger. Pleased — the way a parent feels watching a child do something genuinely good without being asked. Somewhere today, in some small and specific way, you have the capacity to bring that kind of pleasure to God. Not with a grand gesture. Probably just by not forgetting.
Why do you think the author specifically says 'do not forget' — what does that word choice reveal about the nature of goodness and generosity in the rhythm of ordinary life?
The verse calls generosity a 'sacrifice' — have you ever given something that genuinely cost you beyond what was comfortable? What did that experience teach you about yourself?
The author connects practical acts of service and sharing directly to worship — does that expand or challenge the way you think about what it means to worship God?
Is there someone in your immediate circle right now — a family member, neighbor, or coworker — who needs some form of 'sharing' from you that you have been putting off?
What is one specific, practical act of goodness you could do in the next 24 hours — the kind that is ordinary enough to forget — that you will choose to remember?
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:13
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 John 3:17
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.
AMP
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
ESV
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
NASB
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
NIV
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
NKJV
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
NLT
Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
MSG