Yesterday I saw a heartwarming video of a man whose co-workers pooled funds to buy him a car. He was genuinely touched by the blessing and expressed how grateful and thankful he was. The one who shared the post on social media praised the virtue of "random acts of kindness" and how they can be instrumental in changing lives for the better. I believe I know what is meant by the phrase "random acts of kindness," that without a special occasion people would unexpectedly do something to benefit someone else without strings attached.
When I reflected upon the gracious gift of a vehicle, there was nothing at all "random" about this act of kindness at all! Generous co-workers saw someone in need and purposely put thought and sacrifice into action to help him. They considered what car would be best suited for his needs. They even bought insurance to make sure he was not out of pocket. He even was given money for petrol! Everything about this act of kindness was intentional - albeit unexpected by the receiver. The point to be considered is no act of kindness is random: kindness is only kindness when there is an intentional, joyful giver and a receiver.
The 1828 Webster's dictionary defines "kindness" as, "good will; benevolence; the temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; kindness ever accompanies love." There would be no kindness in this world without the God who created man in His image. He is the One who has been purposefully kind to us. Paul wrote to Titus of man's sin and need for salvation and how God met our need through Jesus Christ in Titus 3:4-5, "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..." God has demonstrated His kindness to all people by offering redemption and eternal life through faith in Jesus. It would be tremendous to receive the gift of a vehicle, but it pales in comparison to the gift of God through Jesus.
Since Christians are receivers of God's kindness, we ought to be vessels through whom God pours His kindness in practical ways upon others. We are not kind to find favour with men but to bring glory to God. Man's kindness and generosity has limits, but God's is infinitely greater and completely unexpected. There is nothing random about God's kindness!
When I reflected upon the gracious gift of a vehicle, there was nothing at all "random" about this act of kindness at all! Generous co-workers saw someone in need and purposely put thought and sacrifice into action to help him. They considered what car would be best suited for his needs. They even bought insurance to make sure he was not out of pocket. He even was given money for petrol! Everything about this act of kindness was intentional - albeit unexpected by the receiver. The point to be considered is no act of kindness is random: kindness is only kindness when there is an intentional, joyful giver and a receiver.
The 1828 Webster's dictionary defines "kindness" as, "good will; benevolence; the temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; kindness ever accompanies love." There would be no kindness in this world without the God who created man in His image. He is the One who has been purposefully kind to us. Paul wrote to Titus of man's sin and need for salvation and how God met our need through Jesus Christ in Titus 3:4-5, "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..." God has demonstrated His kindness to all people by offering redemption and eternal life through faith in Jesus. It would be tremendous to receive the gift of a vehicle, but it pales in comparison to the gift of God through Jesus.
Since Christians are receivers of God's kindness, we ought to be vessels through whom God pours His kindness in practical ways upon others. We are not kind to find favour with men but to bring glory to God. Man's kindness and generosity has limits, but God's is infinitely greater and completely unexpected. There is nothing random about God's kindness!
No comments:
Post a Comment
To uphold the integrity of this site, no comments with links for advertising will be posted. No ads here! :)