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The kindness that we show towards others is more for our benefit than
theirs. It is true that the recipients do benefit from our good deeds, but
we benefit more because our testimony of grace and mercy is shown freely to
others and our reward for said kindness is promised to come from the Lord.
God in heaven has declared and made it law that whatever we sow, that we
will surely reap. Never think doing something good for others brings no
benefit to you. That is complete fallacy. God will be pleased with your
good deed and will reward you openly for everything that you do in secret
for others. (1 Corinthians 3:8-9) (Luke 6:35) (Galatians 6:7) (Matthew 6:3-4)
It is a privilege for us to be called God's children and when we do for
others what they can't do for themselves, we are showing our thanks to the
Lord for saving us from sins that we could not save ourselves from. The
Bible declares in Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore
opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of
the household of faith.” (Hebrews 13:1-6) (Isaiah 1:18) (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to be caring
towards those who are in need. You will be blessing them and blessing
yourself just the same. Do good works and look for nothing in return.
God will reward your open heart.
THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF KINDNESS
Writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Kindness is the
golden chain by which society is bound together.” But I was not thinking
about the golden chain of kindness one day when a dilapidated automobile,
possibly held together with glue and wire, parked in front of my house.
During those years, we lived in a small town just across the street from
the church I served, and travelers in need constantly found their way to
our home.
I was growing weary of helping the numerous people who stopped by almost
daily. I was frequently awakened in the middle of an otherwise good night's
sleep, to get out in the cold and help someone passing through. Once our
property was vandalized; once I drove through a blizzard in order to get
two people to safety; many times I felt taken for granted by penniless
motorists or hitchhikers who did not thank me for help they received and
complained that I didn't do more. I hadn't felt a part of a “golden chain
of kindness” for awhile and, though I still offered assistance where I
could, sometimes I inwardly wished they would just go away.
But on this day, a young man with a week-old beard climbed from the
broken-down automobile. He had no money and no food. He asked if I could
give him some work and I offered him gasoline and a meal. I told him that
if he wanted to work, we'd be pleased if he'd cut the grass, but work
wasn't necessary.
Though sweaty and hungry, he worked hard. Because of the afternoon heat, I
expected him to give up before the job was completed. But he persisted and,
after a long while, he sat wearily down in the shade. I thanked him for his
work and gave him the money he needed. Then I offered him a little extra
money for a task particularly well done, but he refused. “No sank you,” he
said in heavily accented speech. I insisted that he take the money but he
stood up and once again said, “No sank you. I want to work. Joos keep the
money.” I tried again and for a third time he protested, shaking his head
as he walked away.
I never saw him again. I'm sure I never will. And interestingly, he
probably thinks I helped him out that day. But that is not the way it was.
I didn't help him, he helped me. He helped me to believe in people again.
He helped me to once again Want to do something for those who are in need.
I wish I could thank him for restoring some of my faith in the basic
goodness of others and for giving me back a little of the optimism I had
lost somewhere along the way. Because of him I once again felt part of a
golden chain of kindness that binds us to one another.
I may have fed his body that day. But he fed my soul.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 4:20-21 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a
liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love
God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he
who loveth God love his brother also.”
1 John 3:16-18 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down
His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But
whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed
and in truth.”
Luke 6:35-36 Jesus declares “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and
lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye
shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work,
and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: EIGHT GIFTS THAT DON'T COST
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem135.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: FROM COWBOY TO CHRIST
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony115.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
