God wants us to show kindness because it is his nature. Job 6: 14 says those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty. A friend in this context means a neighbour or the needy or those who cannot reciprocate or pay back. Proverbs 11: 17 says those who are kind reward themselves, but the cruel do themselves harm. We will be judged based on our deeds, the good we have failed to do, and the evil we have done. Hebrews 13: 2 says do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Meaning of kindness
Kindness is supporting others with our valuable substance without expecting payback. Proverbs 14: 21 say those who despise their neighbours are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor. Kindness must not be selective just as Christ Jesus died for all. Romans 6: 10 says the death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 2Corinthians 5: 15 says and he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
The Lord likes kind people. Proverbs 14: 31 says those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honour him. Withholding kindness is not God’s nature but disobedience God’s instructions. In Proverbs 19: 17 whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and will be repaid in full. This is because God’s Spirit dwells in all human beings and all are created in his image.
How to show kindness
Jesus said in Luke 6: 35 but love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Paul also advocates in Colossians 3: 12, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Kindness must go without haughtiness but true love led by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 2: 4 says God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. Kindness must draw people to Christ Jesus. Titus 3: 4 says when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us. Kindness must lead to saving the circumstances of others. Romans 11: 22 says provided you continue in his kindness… you also will be cut off. Paul wrote in Romans 3: 12, all have become worthless because no one shows kindness (paraphrased). In Galatians 5: 22 it is the fruit of the Spirit.
Reward for kindness
God always repays those who are kind. Proverbs 21: 21 says whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honour. A kind person will also inherit the wealth of the cheat. Proverbs 28: 8 says one who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor. Such is the nature of God’s reward to those who are kind. God does not want us to be greedy or cheat the poor or make ungodly wealth from the poor otherwise he will take them away.
Wealth must come from honesty and godly conduct. Micah 6: 8 says he has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? God said in Zechariah 7: 9-10 render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor, and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. Kindness comes by the Holy Spirit. Selfishness is sinful which does not please God. Will we be judged as kind people when we appear before the judgment seat of God?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we appreciate your kindness that led you to die for all mankind on the cross. By the same kindness, help us to sacrifice for others by sharing what casts us so dearly to save their situations. Teach us to expect nothing in return for our kindness we show to others because such is your nature and upon which we depend. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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