KINDNESS FOR OTHERS – Part 1
- To whom should God’s people be kind?
Deuteronomy 22:1 – fellow believers
b. Zechariah 7:9 – “one another” (fellow believers)
c. Ephesians 4:32 – “one another” (fellow believers)
d. 1 Peter 3:8 – “one another” (fellow believers)
e. Romans 15:2 – neighbors
f. Leviticus 19:34 – foreigners
g. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 – widow
h. Zechariah 7:10a – widow, the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor
KINDNESS FOR OTHERS – Part 2
To whom should God’s people be kind?
- 1 John 3:17-18 – needy
- Acts 20:35 – weak
- Romans 15:1 – weak
- Romans 12:15 – weeping (sorrowing)
KINDNESS FOR OTHERS – Part 3
To whom should God’s people be kind?
- Galatians 6:2 – burdened (weary)
- Galatians 6:1 – transgressor (fallen)
- Galatians 6:10a – everyone
- Luke 6:34-35 – enemies
KINDNESSES DIFFERENCES
Read Matthew 5:43-48. What are we told to do in these verses?
Jesus tells us to love and forgive our enemies. We are also to pray for them. We are to show kindness to them—not a fake kindness—a kindness that can come from us only if we are allowing the Holy Spirit control of our lives. The heathens love those who love them and show kindness where they expect kindness in return. God does not withhold His good gifts and benefits from the evil, but pours them out on both the good and evil and expects us as His children to do the same.
KINDNESSES EXAMPLES 1
- Will our kindnesses always be appreciated and understood?
Our kindness will not always be appreciated or understood. It may even be misconstrued. We may even receive disdainful treatment from those to whom we have shown kindness. We should not let this discourage us but if our kindness is inspired by our Heavenly Father, we should leave the results completely in His hands. This kind of kindness may be reciprocated from totally unexpected sources. There is the principle of sowing and reaping involved here and God makes sure that this principle never falters. We harvest what we plant.
2. Let us look at some examples of kindness in the Bible.
Indicate whether the act was motivated by God’s Spirit or selfish gain.
a. Genesis 45:16-20, 47:5-6 – Pharaoh to Jacob.
Pharaoh showed great kindness to Joseph and his family, however, the greatest liberality and kindness on his part could never recompense the services that Joseph had given his kingdom.
b. Exodus 2:6-10 – Pharaoh’s daughter to Moses.
Pharaoh’s daughter finds Moses in the water and has compassion on him. She rescues him from being killed as the king had commanded.
c. Joshua 2:1-3, 6:17-25 – Rahab to the spies.
Rahab shows kindness to the spies and she hides them from the kings men who would take them captive. (Read the reason for this kindness in Joshua 2:8-14.) The kindness is returned as Rahab and her family are saved when the Israelites conquer Jericho.
d. 2 Samuel 9:1-13 – David to Mephibosheth.
This is one of the most beautiful pictures of kindness in the Bible. David certainly does not have any ulterior motive for showing kindness to Mephibosheth. It is because of the love that David had for his dear friend Jonathan.