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The Bible Says
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Romans 12:10).
"Kindness is love doing little things, things that seem scarcely worth doing, and yet which mean much to those for whom they are wrought. Kindness lends a hand when another is burdened. It speaks a cheerful word when a heart is discouraged. It gives a cup of cold water when one is thirsty. It is always doing good turns to somebody. It goes about performing little ministries with a touch of blessing. It scatters its favors everywhere. Few qualities do more to make a life bright and beautiful! Lord, make me kind today, full of love!"
"Scatter then your deeds of kindness,
-- Choice Gleanings "One day a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. "Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything." She replied. "Mother has taught me never to accept pay for a kindness." "He said . . . "Then I thank you from my heart." "As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit, "Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in a specialist to study her rare disease. "Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from , a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he went down the hall of the hospital to her room. "Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. "He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case. "After a long struggle, the battle was won. "Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on he edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words." "Paid in full with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly "Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: 'Thank You.' "
-- Internet There is an old saying, "Politeness is to do or say the kindest things in the kindest way." But kindness is more than mere politeness. Our culture may teach us to be polite but only God can put love and kindness in our hearts. It is not that hard to be kind to those who are kind to us, but the Bible says we should love and be kind to our enemies -- that requires the grace of God.
Throughout His entire public ministry Jesus encouraged His followers to demonstrate their love for God by being kind to their fellow men. He said we should love our enemies and show acts of kindness to those who were unkind to us. We are told of a preacher who chose "Forgive Your Enemies" as his Sunday morning topic. After preaching for some time he asked how many were willing to forgive their enemies -- about half his congregation raised their hands. Still unsatisfied he preached another ten minutes and eighty percent raised their hands. He continued a little while longer and all responded but one old woman. "Mrs. Jones," said the pastor, "Are you not willing to forgive your enemies?" "I don't have any enemies," was her response. "Mrs. Jones, this is very unusual. How old are you?" "Ninety-three." "Mrs. Jones, will you come down to the front and tell us how a person can live to be 93, and not have an enemy in the world."
The old lady slowly made her way to the front of the
church, turned around and said: "It's easy. I just outlived them all."
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