As Christians one of our most distinguishing characteristics should be kindness. In fact, Scripture tells us that we must show kindness to not only our friends but even our enemies. For we read in (2 Timothy 2:24): “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
I love how Scottish evangelist, Henry Drummond, spoke about the need for kindness when he said: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”1
My friends, showing kindness to all of our fellow human beings not only is the Christ-like thing to do, but there are many special blessings that we receive when we show kindness to those we interact with. First, I believe it pleases our Savior, because this is His will for us. Second, it often puts a smile on those we show kindness to, and this in turn brings joy to our hearts. Third, acts of kindness can open the door to allowing us to share the gospel with others who get to know us and see how wonderful we treat them. And fourth, God often will send unexpected blessings your way when you manifest this simple act of showing kindness to others.
In closing, I would like to share a true story that I heard many years ago to show you how my fourth point of how unexpected blessings can happen when we show kindness to others.
One day a man was driving his car when he got a flat tire. Since he knew nothing about how to fix the flat, he rang the doorbell of the house where he stopped his car to see if he could make a call to get help. (This was way back before we had cell phones). The elderly lady, who answered the door, invited this total stranger in, gave him a cold cup of water and allowed him to make his phone call. Shortly thereafter, help arrived and after he had his flat fixed he thanks the very friendly lady and off he went.
Well, it turned out that this woman was very poor and was in need of a serious operation and wondered how she could ever pay for it. One day she made her way to the doctor’s office and they scheduled her surgery. As it turned out the doctor who performed the surgery was this same man that weeks earlier she had allowed to call for help with his flat tire. Two weeks after the surgery she received the bill. She was very nervous to open the envelope, knowing that how could she ever afford to pay for the surgery. I can’t remember how the doctor knew that the elderly lady was very poor, but he did find that out. So, when she opened the envelope, to her shock and amazement, the bill read, “Paid in Full, by a cup of water.”
Kindness, is easy to do and when we give and manifest it to those we meet we bring God glory and sometimes may even receive a special blessing. But one thing is for sure, knowing that it pleases our Lord and Savior, is perhaps the greatest blessing we can ever receive!