The Cost of Kindness
What does it really cost to show kindness? Sometimes it’s only a few seconds on the highway as you let another car get in front. Other times, it may be only a couple of minutes at the grocery store as you allow someone to go ahead of you. Kindness could also mean giving a few extra dollars as a generous tip at a restaurant.
Being kind usually doesn’t cost much financially. However, there are times when it may require a significant sum, like paying someone’s power or medical bills. While acts of kindness can become expensive, they are always worthwhile. Even if you spend your last dollar helping someone, you’ll find yourself richer than ever before.
Kindness isn’t always about money or time. Sometimes, it’s as simple as offering a smile or a gentle word at the perfect moment. Often, kindness is shown with a listening ear, an understanding heart, or even a quick phone call, text, or personal visit.
While studying the Bible, I’ve found that the words “kind” and “kindness” rarely appear. Nonetheless, the principle of kindness is woven throughout the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation. It’s often associated with mercy, compassion, edification, charity, and grace. For those who follow God, kindness is not merely encouraged—it is commanded. Ephesians 4 instructs us to “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, and forgive one another just as God has forgiven you.”
What does it cost to be kind to someone? In the grand scheme of things, not much, but the value of a kind act is more than you will ever know. So today I challenge you to be kind to someone. It may not cost you much, but for someone else, it could be the most meaningful gift they ever receive.
From the Bible
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/col.3.13-17.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
