How often are we given the opportunity to show a kindness and we let it pass by? Sometimes it is the simplest of things, offering a smile to someone. Yesterday, a man on the street was asking for change; I have change, so I gave it to him at the light. His response, “God bless you”. This stood out to me simply because most of the time the people who are asking for money on the streets don’t really give this type of response when you give something to them. Yet, this gentleman who was asking for so little was also grateful enough to offer a blessing back.
What we put out returns to us. Some people will call this ‘karma’; yet the bible shows us time and time again how when kindnesses were given, they were returned as well.
2 Samuel 2:6 And now may the Lord show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing
David had just been anointed king, and his predecessor Saul had been buried by men of Jabesh-Gilead. They didn’t have to bury Saul. We know this simply because David says they showed a kindness by doing it. Then, David does two things; he asks that the Lord show them kindness as well as saying that he will ‘repay’ the kindness that was done.
Doing this one thing, showing a random act of kindness, they were going to receive double in return. What do we learn from this? When you give you receive.
Kindness is one of the fruits of the spirit yet it is often found lacking. It is easy to simply to pass over an opportunity we are given by saying or thinking “someone else will show it” or “someone else will do it”. Remember, what you give you receive. If you want to receive kindness, you need to give it.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Today, as you go through your daily activities and the opportunity arises, take a moment to show kindness. It costs nothing yet gets returns.
Lord,
We thank you that you constantly show us kindness and mercy in our lives. Teach us to pass this attribute along to others. To allow us to be an example of your light through not only our words but our deeds. Our actions.
We thank you for all that you have given us each and every day. We thank you for helping us to grow and become more like you. Lead us along the path your would have us to go. Help us to stop skipping over the opportunities to show your love to others as we grow in your grace.
In Jesus Name,
Amen