Have you ever thought about how important the benevolent work of the church is? We are suited to serve because we are created to serve, and to serve with love and kindness.
To prepare for that, we must clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, as Paul writes in Colossians 3:12. He adds in Romans 8:13 that we are to owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. God uses people who are kind, so if we are Christ-followers and belong to the Lord,that is good reason for benevolence.
Following are questions about the work of kindness that we can do. First, WHO? Who are we to help?
James 1:27 tells us “pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”
In Luke 10 Jesus tells of the good Samaritan. He helped a stranger and then Jesus said in verse 37 to his audience, “Go and do likewise.”
So the “who” is anyone who needs help — rich, poor, fatherless, widows, strangers, everyone. All of them.
Question 2 is WHAT? What is kindness and what ways can we show it?
Webster says hospitality and benevolence are acts of kindness. Kindness is listed as part of the fruit of the Spirit, so to get the fruit, we must plant seeds which will grow into the fruit. Philippians 4:8 says the seeds are thoughts that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report… think on these things! We need to focus on those every morning and ask God, “What would You have me do today?”
A long time ago when computers first came out, we used to say “GIGO,” which meant Garbage In, Garbage Out. It meant that whatever the typist typed in was what would come out, so don’t blame the computer! I proposed that in our Christian lives, we could replace the word “garbage” with “godliness” and that would make us better! Godliness in and Godliness Out! We could have a supernatural ministry and impact society if we could cover each day with prayer and dedicate it to the Lord as we care for the needy, give them love, and point them to Jesus.
Being kind also includes hospitality. Of course, our motive is important. There’s a difference between hospitality and entertaining. Entertaining can have pride at the core. Hospitality just serves. Entertaining shows off possessions. Hospitality says “What is mine is yours.” Entertaining looks for a compliment or return invitation. Hospitality just enjoys the pleasure of serving.
The model for Entertaining is women’s magazines. Hospitality’s model is God’s Word. His example is John 3:16. Calvary. He gave himself for our sins, Paul tells us in Galatians 1:4. That’s what kindness is!
So what can we do? Jesus said things in Matthew 25 that give us ideas. “I was hungry and you fed me.” We can provide food in our homes, take it to the sick, the aged, the bereaved, and the hungry. Volunteer food for funerals. Grocery shop for shut-ins, VBS refreshments, Wednesday nights, cook at camp, church fellowships, food pantry, and cookie ministry.
Jesus also said “I was naked and you clothed me.” Acts 9 tells of Dorcas and her clothing ministry. We can sew for missionaries and children’s homes, donate bibs and lap robes to the area nursing homes, and made baby blankets and quilts for the hospital. We can also offer to teach anyone who would like to learn to sew!
Opening our homes for young people’s parties or devotions is a good thing. Having exchange students is a way introduce them to Jesus. He said to invite the poor although they cannot repay you. Keep foster children, or take in “lost children.” Nicole loved staying over for weekends so she could worship with us. Shannon’s mom kicked him out when he turned 18 and his check stopped, so we took him in until he found a job and housing. Andrew lived with 8 other people in his house, so he came over to get away from the noise and rest before the basketball games where he showed off his skills. We took them in, pointed them to Jesus, and showed them kindness.
But we can also do things that don’t cost any money. Take a risk! Job 29:24 says “I smiled on them,” and Proverbs 12:25 says “Heaviness in the heart makes one stoop, but a good word makes it glad.” So, give a lift to someone, like entering a room with a big smile and a big hello!
Be a secret pal, sing to someone, offer to do a bulletin board for a teacher, be a pink lady, write letters. That’s a real ministry!
Give someone a hug! Did you know that hugging is vital for our emotional well being! That’s why babies need caresses and adults are no different. If not embraced, we can withdraw into ourselves! Even the apostle Paul said to greet one another with a holy kiss.
That’s the who and what, so third, WHEN should we be kind?
Remember Mark 14:7? “You have the poor always with you, and whensoever you will, you can do them good.” The NIV says if you really want to do acts of kindness, watch for opportunities. Job said “I was a father to the needy; and the cause of him that I knew not, I searched out.”
So, find out what you can do and then do it now! We have been saved and set apart for God’s use, so that means now. You never retire from the Lord’s service! There is no stopping place until God calls you home. James wrote that Christians are “doers of the word and not hearers only.”
None of us are alone. We influence others. My Mom told me that she was useless after she had a stroke and could not walk any more. I told her that she had children and grandchildren who needed prayer. She could do that. Later, when going into her house, I could hear her praying. I could not understand all her words, because she prayed in French. She prayed until her mind was gone, but I am thankful she prayed so long as she could.
Fourth question is WHERE do we show our kindness? Start in your home!
On my ‘fridge door for years, I put the verse “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32
That was a reminder to me as well as my children to forgive and be kind. It is a warm fuzzy kind of philosophy. If you cannot build someone up, then do not put them down. Christianity is taught and nurtured in the home. Our children watch us and learn from us.
Someone has rewritten one proverb to say “Raise up a child in the way he should go — and be sure to go that way yourself!”
And then, fifth question, WHY do we do it? Why do good works?
To work my way to heaven? Because I’m different from the world? Non-Christians do acts of kindness, some very generous!
Think about Law and Grace. I have been saved by God’s Grace, which is greater than the Law of Sin. I did not have to work to get it. I John 5:13 says I can know that I am saved, so I am not being presumptuous. I want to be kind and do good works because God has lifted me up and sustains me by His love. So long as I abide in Him, I am saved. That means a daily walk, not just one step. You cannot walk with someone by just taking one step.
I am saved by the grace of God, not by my works. That gives me peace and joy. I do not worry about doing enough or forgetting to do something. I am not perfect, not nearly kind enough, but I am delighted to know that Jesus accepts me, even with my blemishes. The Holy Spirit lives in me and gives me power to do things unsaved people cannot do, like loving the unlovely. Men must see our “good works” to glorify our heavenly Father.
We do acts of kindness, not to be saved, but in fact, because we are saved! I am so happy that Jesus saved me, that I want to say “Thank You,” to Him. I can do acts of kindness “for Him.”
Another “why” is so that we can have a positive attitude. Also, Jesus said to help the needy, so if we profess to be Christians, we should help the needy, right?
2 Corinthians 8:9 is another good reason. “You know the grace of Jesus Christ, how that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you, through His poverty, might become rich.” Because of His grace, we show grace too!
My favorite promise is in Hebrews 6:10 and we have it posted in our sewing room: “For God is not unfair. He will not forget your hard work for Him, or forget the way you used to show your love for Him and still do, by helping His children.” The Hebrew writer reminds us to keep going, because God remembers our work. He takes note of the love we have that prompts us.
And finally, the last question is HOW are we to serve?
Titus 2:11-14 reads “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, instructing us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, and … verse 14 says “zealous of good works.” Eager to work!
Philippians 2:12-15 says “It’s God who works in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure…. Do all things without murmurings and questionings.”
Psalm 100:2 says “Serve the Lord with gladness.” 7
John 13 tells us of Jesus washing the disciples feet. He didn’t announce it, he just demonstrated how to serve. He showed how to do kindness with humility. And Jesus did it personally. It is impossible to give and remain at arm’s length. Personal involvement is a must, even if we have to change our schedules.
Matthew 10:8 says “freely you have received, freely give.” Give freely, because it does not belong to us anyway.
Douglas was known for his outgoing manner and his dependability, some of the reasons I married him! But he also was known to offer help to anyone at any time. No job was too lowly for him. I mean, the man had his “humbling experience” every week when he cleaned out my dad’s pig pen in the barnyard! He gave generously, as he could, everywhere we went. My son still reminds me, when I ask him what I should do about helping someone. Darryl will ask me, “What would Dad do? You know what he would do!” So I do it!
In Mark 14:8 the woman poured ointment on the head of Jesus and He said “She has done what she could.” My aunt in Baytown, TX did that. Her situation was such that she was petite, shy, illiterate, could not drive, but she smiled a lot and she could quilt. She gave quilts to family, young girls in the congregation, visitors. She gave me one, and at her funeral, the minister read those very words, “She has done what she could.” What a testimony!
Being kind involves more than money. It includes giving ourselves, our time and energy, our care and compassion, even our belongings. Sometimes we hang on to our possessions so tightly that we live with white knuckles! I do not know why, because we cannot take it with us!
A wonderful example for our congregation is found in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. The Macedonians gave “according to their ability and beyond… and gave themselves first to the Lord.” I think that was their driving force! After giving themselves to the Lord, then they gave voluntarily, without anyone twisting their arms. They gave generously, beyond their ability. Probably could have used it themselves, but they weren’t tightwads. And did you notice? No names are mentioned, so they gave anonymously.
About 35 years ago, I wrote a personal piece that I can share now.
“Sometimes I wonder: You know, Lord, how I serve You with great emotional fervor when I stand to teach; You know how eagerly I speak for You at Ladies Day meetings; You know how I bubble over when I promote a fellowship luncheon; You know my genuine enthusiasm at a Bible study. But Lord, how would I react, if you pointed to a basin of water and asked me to wash the calloused feet of a bent and wrinkled old woman day after day, month after month, in a room where nobody saw and nobody knew. Dear Lord, How would I react?”
My dad did that for the last 14 years of my mom’s life. Unselfish, remaining anonymous, doing a kind act out of love. He would have been embarrassed if we had made a big thing of it or announced to anyone what he did.
We decide if we are going to be kind and how kind we will be.
We can show kindness through the church, with our family, or by ourselves.
With our church congregation, we could participate in their Benevolent Fund, or some local assist agency, whatever is the best choice for us. Or,
With our family, for a project, we might select a family to help at holiday times, not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but also at Easter or other holidays or first day of school, etc. Think of what they might need during the year.
And then, of course, we may be led to the kindness we show alone. The key to that is “Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing!” Matthew 6:1-4
Here is something else we often ponder. Sometimes we give and then we still feel guilty because we feel we have not done enough. Know this: Jesus himself did not cure every illness, or answer every call for help that He received. He was limited by unbelief. How can we know how far to go with our help? Here are four ideas to consider:
First, Christlike kindness has limits. Gal. 6:5 calls us to carry our own load. We can share an overload, but don’t infringe on someone’s responsibility for his own load.
The Good Samaritan balanced the load and burden. He served unselfishly, but even he had limits. He treated wounds, transported the victim to an inn, took care of him that night, and left money to cover further costs. But he did not cancel his business trip, or stay until the man healed or consider himself the only source of help. He did not turn his life upside down to solve this man’s extended problems. He did not give the man money to replace what he had lost. He did not help him prosecute his assailants.
He did what he could immediately and involved others, but did not abandon his own responsibilities. There was a limit.
Second, Christlike kindness respects choices. We should never try to manipulate. We must respect another’s choices and responsibilities. Jesus let the rich young ruler walk away. Respect their choices. With Andrew, his talent led to a college basketball scholarship, but he messed up; joined the Navy and played basketball for them, but messed up again. His choices kept leading him to more troubles, and today he is in prison. Try as we might, not every story ends well.
Third, Christlike kindness honors God’s will first. Respond to needs but stay within God’s will. That means putting the first commandment before the second. Take cues from the God we love with all our heart, then we can serve our neighbor.
Fourth, Christlike kindness respects God’s plan for others. We want to rescue others from pain, especially family. We need to let our children experience the pain of discipline so they will escape the bigger pain of recklessness later. It gets more confusing when they are adults. We have to think, examine, pray for guidance. If acts of kindness give feelings of frustration and failure, maybe we do not understand God’s will for us or them. Before we lose our joy and judge ourselves inadequate, we need to ask, “Lord, am I helping too much?” “Am I getting in Your Way?”
We want to help, to show God’s unconditional love, but we have to learn to let them live with their choices. We cannot do it for them. We might meet a few needs, but we cannot be responsible for all their needs. The good Samaritan met the needs of the victim from A to D, then quit. We might do the same, but if they have needs from A to Z, like Andrew, we have to let them go. Keep loving and keep praying, but let go.
The Holy Spirit in us lights our hearts. Isaiah 58:10 reads “If you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall your light rise in darkness.”
As faithful Christ-followers, we receive so much, so we must give in return. There is a happy spirit in giving, especially when our giving is because of the Spirit in us. It gives us the power to be like Jesus. With that power, we can be used by God far beyond our imagination!
The supreme characteristic of kindness is thoughtfulness for others. That is the very heart of Christianity. Schools of etiquette produce it by training. Love does it by instinct!
A week after I landed in Saudi Arabia in 1978, I had emergency major surgery. In a foreign hospital, 9000 miles from home, I needed kindness!
The ladies from the church there did not just say “I’m sorry. Let me know if you need anything,” and then hurry off. No! They brought food every day for a month and babysat Darryl for 2 weeks until I got home from the hospital.
During that time, I found this hymn and I loved it at once. Those ladies helped me through a very trying time, so you might say that I speak from experience, both as a giver and as a receiver! Here are the words to the song:
A Helping Hand by George A. Smith
Someone near you is struggling alone
Over life’s desert land.
Faith, hope, and courage together are gone:
Reach him a helping hand.
Turn on his darkness a beam of your light;
Kindle, to guide him, a beacon-fire bright;
Cheer his discouragement; soothe his fright;
Lend him a hand.
Somebody near you is hungry and cold;
Send him some aid today.
Somebody near you is feeble and old,
Left without human stay.
Under his burden put hands kind and strong;
Speak to him tenderly, sing him a song;
Haste to do something to help him along.
Lend him a hand.
Dear one, be busy, for time flies so fast,
Soon it will all be gone;
Soon will our seasons of service be past.
Soon will our day be done.
Somebody near you needs now a kind word.
Someone needs help such as you can afford.
Haste to assist in the name of the Lord.
Lend him a hand.
God bless us all!
Joyce Broyles
Yours in the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13)
Joyce is a Retired High School Librarian and lives in Jennings, LA.