Kindness

https://odb.org/2024/11/13/unmeasured-kindness

Proverbs 11 NIV: 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

It is somewhat counter-intuitive that if we are kind, we will benefit ourselves. Similar to the concept that giving freely gains even more and brings prosperity.

I feel it is disappointing that if we are in the faith and we don’t believe this important principle in the Bible. It sort of reflects that we do not trust God or believe His Word. Solomon wrote Proverbs, but Jesus also expounded the same principle when He taught the Parable of the Talents. The servant who used his given talent well was rewarded with more while the servant who did nothing, his talent was taken away.

How could being kind benefit us? In the natural, like we don’t owe anyone a living, it is our right to be kind only to whoever we want or choose. It is our perogative or, like legalese will say, it is at our sole discretion. That’s correct. That also means we can choose otherwise. The LORD is not forcing us to be kind as though our salvation depends on it. He is just saying that if we are kind, it will benefit us. This means that in the natural, others will also be kind to us and we will gain other people’s favour. In the world, although people are not obliged to be kind to us, they will invariably gravitate towards kindness if we are kind and pleasant.

But more importantly, there is a spiritual principle at work as proclaimed by Solomon in Proverbs. In other words, if we are kind and generous, God will open up the heavens and pour His blessings and provision upon us. We will definitely live a better life. God declared so in Proverbs. Will He lie? Does He ever lie?

Going back to having a Kingdom-mentality or being Kingdom-minded, being kind and generous is putting God’s Kingdom first and the pursuit of His righteousness! It is for the long term and the eternal, except that if we are kind and generous, it is certain that God will bless us in this world itself. We need not wait for our reward at the end of age, but we will be blessed this side of eternity!

As part of us having a good week, let us put this Word into practice and be kind and generous over the remaining of this week and for the rest of our days here on earth! Let’s determine in our hearts today that as long as the good Lord gives us breath, we will be kind and generous. It can only benefit us!