Kindness

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Proverbs 3:3-4

YEARS AGO, A book encouraged people to practice “random acts of kindness.” This has spun off to other books and to websites where people can tell about how others have blessed them through kind acts.

Perhaps not surprising is how many people in these books and websites mention church, faith, or Christianity in the same breath as the acts of kindness they’ve experienced.

The Scripture verses above remind us of the importance of being kind to others. When we are kind, not only is God pleased with us, but others are too. It’s also a great way to reach out to people who need to know God and his touch. As we make it a habit to speak kind words and to do caring, courteous, and compassionate acts, we get a reputation. And perhaps we never reflect our caring God better than when we’re mirroring his compassionate nature.

When we want to reach others with the gospel, the first thing we can do is show them how kind Christians can be.