Let’s read Ecclesiastes 7:20 which says, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”  Psalms 14:1, 14:3, 53:1, and 53:3 all use that same expression, “none that doeth good.” 

You have asked a good question that deserves a scriptural answer.  The Bible clearly states that there are “none that doeth good” yet we read of instances where good acts are performed such as in Acts 28:1-2, “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.”  What are we to think of this?

Let’s read Romans 3:10-12 which is a quote from Psalm 14:1-3.  That says, “As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, no, not one.” 

In describing the unregenerate heart of the unbeliever, it is said that:

• Not even one is righteous before God.  For the unbeliever, there is no righteous principle in them, and, consequently, no righteous act can be expected from them. 
• No one understands.  It is true that man thinks himself to be a very wise and understanding creature, though, in truth, he is a very ignorant one.  Without knowing God, everyone is ignorant of God’s person, His power, His love, His purpose, etc. 
• No one seeks after God. The nature of the unsaved is not to seek after God, that is, he chooses to neglect and forget Him.  That is one of the most decided proofs of depravity. However, a righteous man counts it his highest privilege and honor to know God. 
• Everyone has gone out of the way.  All rejecters of the Lord have departed from the right way.  They have either abandoned or corrupted the Word and will of God.
• All have become unprofitable.  The Greek word for ‘unprofitable’ is “achreióō” and it means to spoil, be offensive, or become putrid.  Those without Christ are of absolutely no value in regard to works of righteousness. 
• No one does good…no one.  In the greatest sense, where there is no righteousness, there can be no good. 

We referred to Psalm 14:1 earlier.  Let’s read that verse, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”  When one denies the existence of God, or rejects God in his life, he cannot do anything that is good in God’s sight.  Proverbs 21:4 goes so far to tell us that, “…the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”  For one to reject the Lord yet plow his field in anticipation of God sending needed rain, is an act of sin.  To the world, the plowing of the field is a good and responsible act, but to the Lord, one who rejects Him, yet goes about his normal life, that is sinful.  We even read in Proverbs 21:27 that, “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”  When the unsaved try to give to the Lord, the One they have rejected, that disgusts Him.

So, we learn in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS ; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”  Perhaps we are able to benefit others at times, but when our absolute motive is not seeking to honor the Lord, He sees it not as an act of good. 

It is said of the Lord Jesus in Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”  How do we properly define what ‘doing good’ is?  I believe it is when our actions benefit others AND honor the Lord.  Otherwise, our motives are wrong, and in the eyes of God, our actions are not good.  (CC)  (658.2)