His Riches

Romans 2 says Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Our God is a merciful, gracious, kind God.  If fact, he is rich in kindness.  And yet people curse him.  He is tolerant with those who curse him because he loves and desires for all to be saved.  And he is oh so patient with the stubborn, because he loves his creation.

In fact, this verse says the kindness of God leads to repentance.  Remember repentance means turning away from sin and following after God.

It’s good to “witness,” to preach, to instruct, and to tell, but kindness tops them all.

We can do all of the good things of sharing the gospel, but if we are not kind, people will not want to know our kind and loving God.

It’s not up to us to shake our finger, judge, or push someone into repentance.  It’s up to us to obey God’s example by being kind and patient with all, KNOWING that we too have been recipients of the kindness of our loving God.

And...since we have freely received his riches, we should freely share them with others.

This Woman

Acts talks about this woman Tabitha:

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.

I have a wonderful friend who runs the Burden Bearers Ministry at our church.  It’s a behind-the-scenes, hard job, thankless at times, and difficult to manage.  However, she provides meals for those going through surgery, those who have recently suffered a loss, or for young moms who’ve just had a baby.  She “abounds” in deeds of kindness and charity.

And this friend is one of the most lovely people I know.  She doesn’t boast about what she does.  She doesn’t broadcast or become bitter when others don’t pitch in.  She gladly and willingly gives of her time and service to bless others in their most difficult times.

I can’t help but think God has a special reward for people like Alice.

Giving like this is true giving.

And it’s an act of obedience to God’s directive to be kind and compassionate toward others.

Dispense It

Zechariah 7:9 says Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;

Sounds like a pharmacist, doesn’t it?  “Dispense” and “practice.”

Pharmacists have this incredible responsibility attached to their profession of dispensing the correct medicine into the specified bottle, with the exact instructions for each individual.  What a job!  One mistake could mean certain death for the consumer.

Christians have this responsibility, must like a pharmacist, to dispense “true” justice and “practice” kindness and compassion.  It’s no different than the medicine.  If we don’t pour out true justice wrapped in love, and practice kindness through purposeful acts that stem from compassion for others, this too can mean certain death.

If God tells us to do these two things, there must be a way for us to do them.

The next verse is a strong warning…

^… and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.

In other words, we have to turn from evil and oppression and toward towards justice and kindness.

And then pour it out...

He's Told You

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

This is a commonly quoted verse from the bible. 

Do you want to know what it is you’re supposed to do with your life?  It’s all laid out here.

He has told us.

And it’s good.

In fact, it’s required.

Do justice (that requires action), love kindness (that involves intent and purpose), walk humbly (that implies surrender) with God.

It’s interesting to note that so many verses that speak of kindness, speak of it in conjunction with truth, justice and now humility.

Acts of kindness, like donating our old clothes and wares to Goodwill, are fine and nice.  But loving kindness, doing justice and walking humbly might require us to do more than give away old stuff.  It might require that we pray in the middle of the night for a friend, we show up to render aid in a disaster, or we speak up on behalf of one who cannot speak for herself.

There’s enough instruction in this one verse to last us a lifetime in fulfillment.

And we can only do this through the Lord and his strength that comes from walking with Him daily.

Listen...

Hosea 4: Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land.

This verse made me cry.  It describes the state of our land today, doesn’t it?  We live in a world that is slowly obliterating God and who he is from being present and in the forefront, and it is not boding well for our land or our people.

Look at the three things that are missing:

Faithfulness

Kindness

Knowledge

It’s up to us to exhibit and demonstrate and vocalize the faithfulness of our God, by being kind to one another and sharing his acts of kindness shown to us, and to know HIM, really know HIM and the truth of his word.

And if we don’t, our land, our families, our people will suffer.

But if we do, we can’t even imagine what God will do…

Open Mouths

Ah, Proverbs 31, that chapter that women avoid because it describes this perfect woman – or so it seems – that we can never be.  Here’s one verse from this powerful chapter:

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

I know that in my life my mouth has opened too many times and said many other things than those words that are wise.  In fact, I’ve let judgment, anger, criticism, doubt, and a lot of unwise things fly off my tongue in a fit of mistrust and fear.

Like we mentioned yesterday, it probably doesn’t matter how kind we are to our kids, if what we're speaking is full of untruth and contrary to His word.

And it probably won’t matter if everything I speak is eloquent and pure and wise, if I then turn around and say unkind things with the same tongue.

What a complicated mess we are!

But because God tells us to hold onto truth and kindness, it must be possible to do so.  The wonderful thing is that when we let go of either, he is waiting to place them back around our necks, just for the asking.

That’s the kindness and truth of the living God we serve.

The Desirable Life

Proverbs 19 (I love the proverbs!) Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.  What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Look at the last part of this passage – sleeping satisfied and untouched by evil.  That sounds like a goal – like a pleasant life – doesn’t it?

Yesterday we read how we are to bind kindness and truth around our necks.  Today, we are told the same thing in different words.  Kindness is desirable in a man, and being poor is better than letting go of the truth!

We are reminded that man has lots of plans and ways, but it’s the plans and ways of the Lord that will stand.  In fact, it’s his plans and ways that will lead us into live, completely satisfied and at peace.

And what are HIS ways and plans?  They are for us to be kind and hold on to the truth.

Hammering the truth into our kids without being kind will result in bruises and wounds.

Being kind to our kids but omitting the truth of who God is and his love will leave them loved, but lost.

We must hold fast to both – for that is the richness of life.

The Must-Have Duo

Proverbs 3 says, Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Wow, kindness is wrapped up with truth, much like a twisted or braided necklace that we wear as adornment around our necks!  We are also told to write kindness and truth on the table of our hearts, where it’s visible, in print, and in permanent ink!

We all know and reiterate and preach that we have to hold on to the truth of His word – who he said he is – who he said we are – and all of his promises. 

But we don’t preach or reiterate that kindness is supposed to lay alongside the truth.

I’ve known many who know the truth of God’s word but who are so unkind when they deliver it in judgment and arrogance.  And I know many people who are so kind, who would share anything they have with me, and yet they don’t know the Lord as their savior.

Here, we are reminded of a powerful combo – kindness AND truth – we are to guard these two things and not let them leave us.

I love the visual here – a necklace around my neck – and a tablet in my heart – where kindness and truth never part.

They Didn't

Psalm 106 says, Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders;

They did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power known. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders;

Remember that group of people that wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years?  God abundantly supplied their need for food, drink, shoes, deliverance, etc. but because it wasn’t what they thought it should look like, or didn’t come in the manner they preferred, they soon forgot and rebelled.

Sounds like what we all do, doesn’t it?  I know I do.  God supplies my needs, and then when another need arises I totally go into the mode of wondering if he cares, where he is, and why he’s not answering. I forget to recall his faithfulness and kindness to me and mine. And just that act of forgetting is in a sense, rebelling.

Rebellious teens are not fun, when they fight us on every decision we make.  And yet we do that with the Lord, and it grieves his heart.

But what a loving God we serve, he saves us for the sake of his name and so that his power will be known to us…and to others.

Remember his abundant kindness to you and yours, today…

His Providence

Job 10:12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

This is from a man who has lost everything – health, family, possessions.  Yet he realizes that from God came these things he had and that the God who created him and gave him life is kind.

He also acknowledges that in God’s providence (divine guidance and care), He was also caring for Job’s spirit during all of these troubling times.

I think that when we realize and acknowledge the kindness of God in our lives, in the fact that he gives us the very breath we breathe, and that he truly is in control and cares about every detail of our lives – we are then able to exude kindness toward others.

Take time today to acknowledge the kind God who gave you live, shows you kindness and watches over your spirit.

Open Hands

Job 6:14 Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Ouch.

This verse says it like it is.

Notice the word “withholds.”  Remember we saw earlier that David “thought” to show kindness?

When we think to show kindness to someone this is good.  Perhaps a friend paid for our meal and we think to pray for that friend before going to bed, because we know their child is sick.  That’s a good thought, and a good thing to do.

But if we think about being kind and then purposefully withhold our kindness, we are in a bad state!   When we think to be kind, we need to act on it, while it’s still present in our minds.

There’s another passage in the bible about when a friend comes knocking on our door in need, if we have what she needs, how rude it would be to not share it with that friend!

There are times in a marriage where each one withholds kindness from the other because of hurt or a misunderstanding.  It’s those times that must be filled with forgiveness and repentance, if the marriage is to be restored.

But when we are in good standing with our spouses and our friends, and we see them in need – and we have what they need – we must keep our hands open to share.

Kindness requires open hands, not closed fists.

Responding

II Chronicles 32 talks about Hezekiah:  In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.

Here’s a guy who was about to die and he prayed, and the Lord answered him and gave him a miracle.  That’s an act of kindness!

Here’s a guy who became proud and did not respond to the Lord’s kindness, so this angered the Lord.

Here’s a guy who then repented of his pride (as did the people of his city) and the Lord’s anger turned away.

In fact, the next verses recount the many blessings Hezekiah received.

God answers our prayers and takes care of us daily.  And when things are going well, it’s easy to forget all of the kindnesses we are receiving from the Lord’s hand.  In fact, sometimes we become proud of all that “we” have accomplished, when the truth is that all good gifts arrive at our door from Him.

Being ungrateful and being proud are not qualities that please the Lord. 

Being grateful and humble at his feet enables the Lord to then bless us with more good things.

We are not recipients of God’s blessings in our lives so that we can puff up and have others look at how successful we are.  We are recipients so that we can in turn show kindness toward others and praise toward God.

I am thankful that we don’t live under God’s wrath, because of his son Jesus, but I am also aware that God requires us to follow after him in obedience, love, and response to His  Great Love by loving others as we love ourselves.

Thoughtful Kindness

I Chronicles 19:2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.”

Here is kind David once again showing kindness to someone because of kindness shown to him.

But here we see that it took “thought” on David’s part before he showed kindness.

It’s easy to be the recipient of kindness, say our “thank you,” and move on.  We even look back fondly on the kindness of a stranger, a friend, or a co-worker who picks up something we dropped, calls to check on us, or offers us one of their sick days.  We are truly grateful and thankful, but after a while we sometimes forget.

It takes thought and effort on our part to reciprocate the kindness of others.

I think there’s nothing more sad to forget the kindnesses shown to us, especially when we are confronted with a similar situation.  For example, if a friend offers us a ride when our car is broken down, how sad it would be if when given the opportunity to bless them, we forget and ignore their need.

Kindness doesn’t just happen, and it’s not just an emotion of good will.  It requires action on our part. 

Who has been kind to you today?  Think about how you can show kindness to that family in some small, or big, way.

Shown to You

II Samuel 9:7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

Yesterday’s devo mentions David going to his friend’s house to inquire if anyone was there to whom David could show kindness toward, all for the sake of David’s best friend Jonathan. And yes there was, a guy who was lame.

So in this verse, David outlines the kindness he wants to show to this young man “for the sake” of his father Jonathan.  Jonathan had been such a friend to David that David wanted to express kindness to Jonathan’s family.

Look what he did!

He restored everything his family had lost, and invited him to “always” eat at his table, where there was plenty of food.

This act of kindness is symbolic of the same kindness God shows toward those who love him.  He restores that which is lost and invites us to eat at his table – where there is more than enough – all the days of our lives.

And why does God do that?  “For the sake” of his son who obediently went to the cross to suffer and die for all mankind.

We are the recipients of God’s kindness because of our savior’s love, and God’s kindness is with us always.

Anyone?

II Samuel 9 says, David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

David and Jonathan were best of friends. So when Jonathan was gone, David inquired of his family if there was anyone there who would benefit from an act of kindness “for Jonathan’s sake.” Wow, what a friendship.

I have a friend who is a single mom of two teenage boys, about to learn to drive.  She recently shared with me that a family in our church gave her boys a car!  I know that family, and they consider this single mom to be part of a bigger family – those who love the Lord – so they were kind enough to share their blessings with her.  They knew her sons would benefit from having a car, which she could not provide, and they knew this mom was deserving of this gift because she is one of the kindest women we all know.

Kindness and friendship initiate a love that continues on into extended family, and generations to come.  When others are kind toward us, it is not soon forgotten.  And when we continue the kindness chain, good things happen to deserving people.

What good friend do you know?  Can you think of a way to bless their family with kindness today?

Show It

Joshua 2:12 says “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you…”

There are several verses in the bible to indicate that kindness is often a reciprocating act, unlike mercy which is shown often without reciprocation.

In this verse, the speaker is asking for kindness to be shown to his family because he has been kind.

It’s a good practice to stop and take note of those who have been kind to us, whether in deed, in a kind word, in giving, or even in praying for us.  We recently had several friends who prayed with us for our son to find a job.  That was super kind of them to take their time to think about us.

In fact, their kindness made me want to pray for them, for the needs they have for their families.  Their kindness to me, prompted me to take note of their needs.

We all need reminders.  So it’s good to be kind toward others to stimulate their kindness, and it’s good to receive kindness to stimulate ourselves to be kind.

Who has shown kindness to you?  Show kindness back to them.

Who can you be kind to, today? 

I just love this word “kindness” – it even sounds sweet and simple – like the action that it is.