Kindness to God is kindness to mankind or God’s creation. It involves sacrifice of what pleases you or what you cherish for the benefit of another. Kindness to God is unconditional without any expectation in return. Where kindness or benevolence does not involve sacrifice, it fails or does not qualify as kindness. Kindness must be befitting of Christ Jesus for 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Costly kindness
This is kindness that has appreciable value to you which you give out to another. It must have immediate alternative uses. You part with it with pain or a sense of loss yet in consideration for the Lord. It has no relevance to quantum but intrinsic value to you. David said in 2 Samuel 24:24, No I will not offer burnt offering to the Lord my God which costs me nothing. The poor widow recorded in Mark 12:43 also gave the only penny she had to the treasury and Jesus said, Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. She put in all she had for God.
Non-costly kindness
This is kindness which costs you nothing. It is an infinitesimal aspect of your wealth. Often than not, it is what you actually do not need and want to discard with or dispose of. You give it out without any feeling of a loss. It is sometimes accompanied with insults, reluctance, acrimony or expectation of reciprocity. It is for social recognition and public acclamation. It is bereft of God essence. Such kindness is without divine recognition or reward. In 1 Peter 4:9 the bible says, Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another.
Who qualifies for kindness?
Kindness must be extended to all mankind in need biblically described as our neighbor. It knows no race, colour, gender or sex, religion or age. It is non-discriminatory. Beneficiaries of our kindness necessarily include orphans, widows, aged, helpless, needy, and poor and the body of Christ and his church. It is unconditional and non-reciprocal. Luke 6:33 says, And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners to the same. We sometimes despise the poor because they lack the capacity to reciprocate.
Purpose of kindness
There are as many reasons for giving as there are the givers. However, God recognizes just a few. First, show kindness in obedience to God’s command and obedience comes with God’s reward. Second, we show kindness as only trustees of God’s grace to its beneficiaries, the poor and needy etc. What we control is not ours but for the needy. We thus breach our fiduciary duty to the needy when we renege on our divine grace to share. Thirdly, kindness shows God’s nature of love and compassion. God’s indwelling spirit in us is the same spirit in others in need.
Discerning spirit
The act of showing kindness must be led by a gift of discernment. This gift would enable us to know when and how to show kindness. Undoubtedly, many are afraid to share with the unknown whether they are human or spirits. Hebrews 13:2 says Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
God’s spirit resides in every being and to that extent we deprive God of his own wealth when we refuse to show kindness to others. Such conduct amounts to dishonesty, misappropriation or illicit wealth. Matthew 10:8 says, freely ye have received, freely give. This is why God’s grace is without discrimination but abundant to all of us irrespective of our standing with him, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Prayer
Our father in heaven, may your spirit lead us to appreciate as in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that the greatest of your commandment is love. Strengthen our individual and collective weaknesses in showing love so we may reflect your nature and bring glory to your holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!!!
