Today’s message is on kindness. Not the type of kindness that we do on our own or out of pride, but through God’s kindness in us. This is when we are led by God and He is leading us to people that are in need. So we pray often to God while listening and obeying His promptings. He may lead us to help somebody in a store, who may be having a hard time paying for their groceries. So we jump in and pay it all for them, no questions asked. It can be when we are out on the streets and we see a homeless person that is cold and hasn’t eaten and is thirsty. So being prepared, we have our cars packed with blankets, winter hats, gloves, water, snacks, Bibles and gospel tracts. In this case, we are ready to give to these people some of these items I just mentioned from our packs, along with share the gospel and pray with them. As for food, we should also offer to get them food from a restaurant close by. I tell you, my friends, that since I gave my life to Jesus, these encounters have happened almost every week, and I have not been more filled by the Holy Spirit then in these moments. You see, I love to help people in need now. That is why I pack the trunk of my car with the things I mentioned above. That way when I walk the streets, I have these items ready to hand out when a need arises from God. I say this not to be boastful, but to help you understand what charity really is. In reality, since God has blessed me so much, I have so much to give back to those in need. It would be stealing for me to keep all of God’s blessings to myself. So I give to people that are more in need.
Paul also helps us know exactly what charity really means. He said, 1“and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:3-7) He also said, 1“and now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) So, my friends, following Jesus means that we have faith, hope, and charity in our lives also. And what is charity? It is the love of God that is put on full display in other people’s lives. Other people are then able to see God in us through our actions. We are unselfish in doing these kind acts to others and don’t need anything in return. This is true charity. You see, when we are in the service of God, it is more about blessing other people’s lives, then receiving any recognition for our good deeds from others. On the contrary, it is always false charity when we are doing things because we feel forced into it, want the attention to be upon us, or seeking to make money for ourselves because of a charitable event. Charity is not self-seeking but selfless in what we do for other people in need. And when you understand this concept of God’s love, more people will be blessed by God’s hand through you.
I have mentioned charity and kindness today, and will now describe a great example of a person who showed God’s love to an individual. It was David, who desired to show God’s love to a man who was lame. His name was Mephibosheth. Here is a portion of that story, 2“and David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (2 Samuel 9:1-8) This man thought he was worthless, but wait till you hear what David said.
The story continues and 2“then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.” (2 Samuel 9:9-13) Here we have a great example of a person who showcased God’s love towards a person in need. This man even thought that his life was not worth living for, because his feet were lame, but David saw through all of this. Being the son of Jonathan, Saul’s son, God’s favor fell upon him also. Therefore, he was openly brought into David’s kingdom and was then able to eat with him all the days of his life. This is kindness on full display, fulfilling the definition of charity. If you desire to be right with God, then look at your life today. See if you are being selfish in your actions or selfless towards others. Also, look to see if God’s love is on full display in your life.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that Your love will begin to fill our lives. There are so many people in need, but only You can break through to people, in order to help them know this is true. The selfishness in their lives is not helping the matter also, but only destroying their ability to serve You with their whole hearts. So do a work in every person’s life that says they believe in You, that Your love will be on full display in their lives and others. Surely, people will not ever realize what Your joy is like until they have been in Your service, oh God. I have met way to many people that have said that the Holy Spirit is in not present with them, but how can this be? If these same people would simply be willing to follow You, then doors would start opening up. They would see Your blessings poured out upon their lives, and then want to share these blessings with others. Just as You opened my eyes to the importance of feeding the homeless and caring for their needs, these people that seek You need to know this. Then will more people know that caring for others is necessary, and people that have done Your good works selflessly will have the Holy Spirit with them. As I have encountered the Spirit each week, while showing love towards others, every person in Your church can also be led by You. You did not leave us comfortless but have left the Holy Spirit to lead us on the path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord. I pray that this day and forever, I will continue on this path that You have set for me. I love You, Lord. Helping others is the least I can do as an offering of my heart to serve You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
