One of the little known secrets of life is that simple, genuine kindness attracts people as an amazing expression of friendship and love.

"Word Pictures" for Our Imagination

Free Printable Devotional Sheets Monday, July 28th

Today's Daily Verse is found in Proverbs 19.22

" Kindness makes a man attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest"

In the King James Version - it reads, "The desire of a man is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar."

Let's tackle the word "kindness" first...

"Kindness" is the amazing quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. It is to flow out of your being as genuine affection, appreciation, warmth, understanding, unselfishness, thoughtfulness...and a big one, called "gentleness".

At the wedding rehearsal, I asked the bride-to-be this eye-opening question...

It was the wedding rehearsal and I was officiating. The bride-to-be was so beautiful and when I looked at the groom, the contrast was staggering!

He was nice, but in the "looks" department, much could be desired. I was interested enough, or intrigued enough to privately ask the bride-to-be this question...

"If you don't mind my asking, Sue - what attracted you to Brad?"

Her answer destroyed my misconceptions forever! She said, "Pastor, Brad is the kindest, most gentle man I have ever met! He treats me like no one else has ever done. I feel so safe with him, but it is his kindness and gentleness that overwhelms me."

You could have picked me off the floor! Her answer was a breath of fresh air. Here was a bride-to-be who could see beyond "good looks" and be attracted to a man's kindness.

When I got home that night, I went to the Book of Proverbs and found this truth, "Kindness makes a man handsome." I couldn't believe it. I determined from that moment on, that I would learn "kindness" and "gentleness" in my own life.

Thank you, Sue. You sent a profound message to your pastor. I got it!

There is another way to also look at this verse...

The privilege of "doing good" is within the reach of all of us. What matters most is not the "power" we may have, rather the "desire" to act in kindness.

To desire to acts of kindness reveals heart motive and becomes the measuring rod of having a willingness to do what is right

David "desired" to build the temple...

David's desire to build the temple was as fully accepted and honored as the act itself - even although it was his son that was appointed to do it 2 Chronicles 6.8 " But the Lord told him, ‘You wanted to build the Temple to honor my name. Your intention is good.."

The widow's mite...

A profound statement from Jesus...

The "desire" to give all as expressed by the widow's mite. Jesus referred to her as an act of the highest value... Mark 12.41-44 "1 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

The woman with alabaster jar of perfume...

Mark14

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

14 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

• the woman's desire was unmatched
• the disciples scolded her for what she did
• they said it was a waste of money
• Jesus saw her act "differently" as the desire of kindness towards Him
  

The cup of cold water...

Matthew 10.42 "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."

The "desire" is important to GOD. It is the motive of kindness which becomes the most expensive form of love...

GOD is not impressed by giving "out of abundance" - there is no sacrifice attached to it. Giving out of abundance has a danger of "self-gratification" or self-pleasing to it - where pride lurks behind the act.

It is strangely in the "comfort of poverty" that our affections are most valued. There is a cost involved. We have nothing, but release or give what little we have.

That is impressive. This is the true meaning of "kindness".

The poor man is better than a liar...

This is the second part of this critical verse...

Our giving of kindness seen by GOD in acts of money or service, are far better in the sight of GOD than acts from a position of abundance...

• the rich make excuses why they will not give
• the rich say they cannot afford to give, which is a lie
• the poor give readily

Why do the poor give readily?

• the poor give because they have experienced "need"
• the poor know what it feels like to have nothing
• the rich have not experienced "need"
• the rich do not understand the poor, for most have never been there
• the rich will "lie through their teeth" to keep what they have
• the poor will gladly give their last drop of oil, their last mite

The poor man is better than the liar.

1 Corinthians 3.13

"The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done."

GOD looks not at our income, but on the "motives of our heart" in all that we do.

Some acts of kindness...

Say "Good Morning" or greet everyone you meet - with a smile on your face...

Make their Day! Pay the toll for the driver behind you.

Got a few coins in your pocket? Have some fun! Put a coin an someone's expired parking meter...

Come on, now! Take the time... Hold the door open for strangers. Great feeling.

Whenever you buy a new item of clothing - give away something you will no longer wear... Keeps the closet cleaner and meets the needs of a stranger

Forgive a debt that someone owes you and consider it paid in full... Never bring it up again, ever!

You get the idea?

Have a great day!

See you tomorrow...

In the meantime:

Give someone you know a call today and invite them to this Daily Bible Study. You have no idea of how many people are waiting for this kind of information...

E-mail a friend. It would be great if you did that today! Thanks.