The Book of Proverbs - Part 12

The Book of Proverbs

Part 12

The Heart of Kindness

“Those who are kind benefit themselves, [Personal benefit] but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”

-Proverbs 11:17 

“Kindness” = the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.

I consider “Christian kindness” as Going Beyond the expected.

While it is true that most people would agree on the DEFINITION of kindness, Not everyone today agrees on the APPLICATION of kindness.

Many people have called Jesus

UN-Kind

UN-Caring

in his application of kindness.

Pharisees said Jesus should not have APPLIED kindness on the Sabbath.

Jesus as the ONLY way to heaven?

Satan’s Temptations Against Kindness

1.Let other people help themselves.

Who is helping you?!

[This is wrong because if everyone looks, God is offering help to everyone in one way or another]

You are enabling them!

[Possibly]

God helps them that help themselves.

[Not a Bible verse]

2.Why give others a competitive advantage.

[Wrong because life is not a competition]

The Jewish leaders and the Woman caught in the act of adultery.

-John 8

3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group…They made her [Not HIM] stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

-John 8:3-11

Jesus was kind to her.

The Pharisees were not, because they sinfully set her up.

[Used & Abused]

 Kindness goes above and beyond the expected.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

- John 13:34,35

“Kindness”

Our response to God’s love

Kindness is a word in the Bible (OT/NT) tends to cover a broad range of meanings…

[Love, Compassion, Goodness, Mercy] 

Kindness is often listed as one of the Christian virtues.

“Love is patient, love is kind.”

-1 Corinthians 13:4

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

 -Ephesians 4:32

Be like Jesus to others.

There is always a need for kindness.

(Titus 3)

“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 

“God’s Kindness Beyond Expectations”

Nothing KINDER than the Gospel

“He saved us through… Jesus Christ our Savior, 7  …having been justified by his grace…” be careful to devote… to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

–Titus 3:4-8

1.God’s kindness “beyond expectation” is  defined here by the word “Grace”.

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

2.The truth that the kindness that you show will also benefit yourself.

Sometimes immediately

Sometimes eventually

Many times exponentially greater than the kindness that you have shown.

Q: Which is true and correct?

1. The first thing that you can do to be kind to yourself,

is to be kind to others.

2. The first thing that you can do to be kind to yourself,

is to be kind to yourself.

A: Both are true & correct.

Q: Do you need to give yourself permission to be kind to yourself?

Be the person God thinks you are.

[One that God thinks you are special enough to be kind to and for Jesus to die for.]

Be the person your dog thinks you are.

Dogs don’t usually put boundaries on their owners.

Too often we are giving of ourselves in kindness to others who are demanding that we do so.

They put boundaries/expectations on us.

For those kinds of people, pray that God gives you the wisdom to be kind to them in a god-directed way which may include:

“Tough-Kindness”

“Tough-Love”

Kindness and Common Sense

Illustration: The Personnel Manager’s excessive “Tough-Love” or “Tough-Kindness”

When Jesus wrote in the sand, he did not nail the Pharisees.

Neither did he nail the woman caught in adultery.

‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared.” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

-John 8:3-11

Jesus was kind to her.

We do not know if this woman ever changed her life.

We do know that the Pharisees did not.

“Less of Me”

-Glen Campbell

Let me be a little kinder.

Let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me.

Let me praise a little more.

Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery.

Think a little more of others and a little less of me.

Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver.

Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be.

Let me be a little meeker with the other that is weaker.

Let me think more of my neighbor and a little less of me.

Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery.

Let me serve a little better those that I am striving for.

Let me think a little more of others and a little less of me. 

The allegory of the 3-foot long forks.

Being forced to eat with three-foot long forks in heaven and in hell.

The Heart of Kindness & the Most Content Life

“Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”

-Proverbs 11:17 

 “Little drops of water, little grains of sand,

 make the mighty ocean and the beauteous land.

 And the little moments, humble though they may be,

 make the mighty ages of eternity.”

- Julia Carney

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

-Ephesians 4:32

Lord, forgive us for the times that we have not been kind to others. Often we have let life get away from us. In weakness and being overwhelmed, we have often not even been aware of how we have been un-kind and un-caring to others, and to ourselves.

(Silent & Personal Confession)

“As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear [Respect] him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

-Psalm 103:11

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

-Colossians 3:12-13

Be Jesus to others. He is and always will be Jesus to you.