Kindness Pays: The Joy of Seeking Good for Others

The generous give freely and joyously.

According to Paul, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9.7).

Solomon lectured his students about the value of joyous, free, and cheerful giving.

Some give freely yet grow all the richer;
others withhold what is due and only suffer want.

A generous person will be enriched,
and one who gives water will get water.

The people curse those who hold back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it. (Proverbs 11.24-26)

Jesus added his insight into the value of giving attitudes and actions.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38).

“Givers become receivers,” said Dr. David Bryant, a dynamic prayer leader in New York.

A God-like character is the most significant blessing a giver can receive.

No one is more joyful than God. Cheerful givers receive the gift of having a character like God’s.

We often think of material giving and receiving, but giving of time, talents, and influence are also ways of giving.

How to Develop a Giving Behavior

At the core of giving attitudes and actions is the principle of generosity. How can we develop a generous spirit?

(1) Jesus emphasized the importance of giving without expecting anything in return.

I appreciate James Houston’s book, “The Transforming Friendship.” The title encapsulates the opportunity we have to live in a transforming relationship with Jesus.

As we prayerfully read the Gospels, Jesus is free to speak to us about our inner self. He will reveal our attitudes and actions and help conform us to His.

(2) Many of my friends end their day by counting their blessings. This is a good practice because it will affect our inner self.

The more we realize we are blessed, the more likely we feel compelled to share our blessings with other people.

(3) Jesus taught and displayed compassion for vulnerable and marginalized people.

Active listening – listening to the person and the voice of the Spirit at the same time – will correct judgmental and critical thoughts.

Jesus challenged his disciples to invite the “unusual suspects” to dinner parties. When we socialize with people who are normally not part of our “group,” we begin to see the world from a different perspective.

A journey toward being a cheerful giver is a journey that will encompass our entire life. Let’s be patient with ourselves in our failings and not give up the effort to join God in this joyous journey.

Kindness Pays

Do you remember a time when you looked for something, but had difficulty finding it? Imagine putting forth the same effort to seek the good.

That’s what Solomon counseled his students.

Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to the one who searches for it. (Proverbs 11.27)

“Seeking” involves an energetic activity to fulfill a desire. The wise person seeks good like we look for a missing cell phone or a winning lottery ticket.

You are familiar with Jesus’ wonderful promise. “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Matthew 7.7).

What if your asking, searching, and finding was to benefit another person?

Solomon promises that while searching for others you will also find for yourself.

As we live in a transforming friendship with Jesus, he will gently nudge us toward this way of life.

We will learn the truth of David Bryant’s statement, “The givers become the receivers.”

YouTube Video

Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.