‘The Essential Quality of Kindness’

Daily Devotional January 21st

“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4)

God values kindness. It is in fact one of His innate qualities. Those who are blessed to call themselves children of God, too, need to demonstrate the quality of kindness. It doesn’t come naturally to us because it requires that we set aside our own desires for another, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Fortunately for us, we don’t have to try to change our natural way of thinking and behaviour on our own. The Holy Spirit grows His qualities in us—one of which is kindness—when we allow Him to, so that when people see us they see Jesus, the one we serve.

God’s definition of kindness is different from ours. For instance, it is easy to be kind when we are looking to help someone in our family and friend circles, and our kindness is often underscored by an unstated expectation that we will be treated kindly in return. God’s requirements for showing kindness look very different.
• Luke 6:35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.”
• Proverbs 19:17 “If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—and he will repay you!”
• 1 Peter 3:9 “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
• 1 John 3:17 “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”

Your kindness, or lack thereof, is of keen interest to God our Father. He wants to see His children behaving in a manner that reflects how He has treated us—with love, graciousness, self-sacrifice, compassion and kindness! Today, is National Hug Day, which may prove difficult during a pandemic when we are supposed to stay socially distanced. So, instead of a hug, let’s find another means of spreading kindness today…without ulterior motives…to those least expecting it…because we are God’s children. Let’s bring a smile not only to another person’s face, but to our Heavenly Father’s as well.
~ Pastor Jane