Paul Tudor Jones is a Wall Street legend who has become a billionaire philanthropist. Check out his Robin Hood Foundation.
He attributes his passion for help and kindness to one act of help and kindness shown to him when he was a little boy. He and his mother were at an outdoor market and het got lost. A strange man took him by the hand, and helped him find his mom.
King David is a Bible legend, serving as the most successful king of Israel. It all started with an act of kindness. A lady in Jericho named Rahab hid two Israelite spies who’s cover was about to be blown. Her name was Rahab.
Soon after, Rahab fell in love with Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. They had a son named Boaz, who had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David.
And in the tribe of Judah, through the centuries descending down from David’s family, Jesus was born. The Lion of the tribe of Judah.
You never know who you are showing kindness to. It may be the great-great-grandmother of a king, a future philanthropist or president, or a future pastor.
My grandfather was a pastor and when I was in high school he invited me, as part of a class assignment, to speak to the ladies group at his church. Whether I spoke well or not I don’t remember. Maybe it was just because they adored him and I was his grandson so they mobbed me with compliments and old lady hugs.
I smelled like Chanel No. 5 the rest of the day, but I also discovered a clear purpose for my life. I wanted to become a pastor.
My grandfather’s one act of kindness is having a ripple effect. He and Rahab had this in common. They believed in helping another person. They believed that faith without action is dead. Faith in action is alive. As the Bible says, “Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies? … so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:25,26).
Faith takes God-honoring, righteous risks and shows acts of kindness.
You won’t always be sure that the recipient of your generosity will use your gift in a wise way. Take the risk. Be kind.
Your daughter may not appreciate everything you do for her. Take the risk. Be kind.
You may not be recognized for your extra contributions at work. Take the risk. Be kind.
Jesus is the most righteous and kind of all, and wasn’t it risky for him to sacrifice himself completely for all sinners? That includes you.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you are so kind to me, and to our world. Your risk is a choice that I appreciate. I pray that I take God-honoring risks to be kind to others. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Pray about your acts of kindness. When you don’t show kindness, why? What will help you show more kindness to others, as Jesus has shown to you?