A little kindness goes a long way

Kindness is a word that gets bandied about a lot these days. The Oxford Dictionary defines this eight-letter word as “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” That’s a nice definition but let me tell you about the real definition of kindness and the power it has over the lives of other people.

The Greek word for “kindness” is chrēstotēs. It means “benignity (kindness or tolerance toward others), tender concern, uprightness.” It is the kindness of heart and kindness of act. It’s both in the heart and in actions as well. You can’t have true kindness without it being inside and outside in what you do for others.

Kindness began with God when He showed us the ultimate kindness by providing a way of salvation for us (Titus 3:4-5, Romans 2:4, 11:22: See below). We are to take that same kindness and bless others with it.

Want some incentive? I found a few stories to share that show the power of kindness and how you can impact lives. Many times, that impact can be great despite doing something so simple for someone else. Let me share an example.

It comes from a book called “The Christian Atheist” by Pastor Craig Groeschel. Yep, it’s a confusing title, but let me explain. It's a book about teaching those who profess faith in God but live as if they’re without Him. It’s about how to live out what they believe. Make sense?

“It’s amazing what a difference the little things will make. For example, years ago, when I was a new believer, I always wore a tiny cross pin on my shirts. Because they were an inexpensive way to witness, I usually bought a dozen at a time. Every time someone commented on mine, I’d give them one as a gift.

“Once in a 7-11 store, the female clerk complimented my cross pin. So, I reached into my pocket to give her another one. She tried to refuse but reluctantly accepted the small gift.

“Years went by, and I’d almost forgotten about her entirely. After church one week, a woman stopped me and said she had to thank me. Trembling as she spoke, she explained that I probably wouldn’t remember her, but I gave her something years ago. She pulled the small cross pin out of her purse and said when I offered her that cross, her life could not have been any worse. She didn’t feel worthy of such a generous gift, but God showed her He still loved her. Her life was different because of the little thing I’d done for her.”

Such a little thing to do that had so much impact. One small act reinforced the faith of a struggling believer. That pastor will see her in Heaven someday because he gave her a tiny pin that fanned the flame of her faith that was down to a flicker.

You don’t have to go overseas to minister to others to have an eternal impact, but some do. Let me share this story with you and ignore the fact that it took place overseas. Concentrate on the action.

A missionary named Doug Nichols was in India when he contracted tuberculosis. Hospitals there aren’t like American hospitals. It’s just a large ward filled with patients lying on beds. As long as he had to be there, Nichols tried passing out Christian literature to the patients and staff, but everyone politely declined.

One night, he noticed a frail old man who was quite sicker than the others. He was trying so hard to get up and out of his bed but couldn’t. No one came to help, and the old man gave up.

Well, Nichols figured out what was going on when he woke up to a horrible smell. The old man had to go to the bathroom and didn’t make it. Needless to say, the other patients were upset, and even the nurses were angry and rude as they cleaned him up.

So, the next night, the old man tried to get up again. This time, Nichols got up to help him to the bathroom and then back to his bed. Nichols says that one kind act changed everyone’s attitude toward him. He was no longer the “dirty American.”

One man brought him a cup of tea and asked for some literature. Throughout the day, many patients and staff came to him and asked for one of his Christian tracts. Looking back, he said all it took was one simple act of kindness to change the mood of an entire ward of very sick people.

My father-in-law, Dr. Greg Bourgond, says it best: “People don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care.” I’d say that a simple act of kindness in a ward full of sick people in India proved that very much true.

Here’s the last story of incredible kindness from a women’s softball game between Western Oregon University and Central Oregon U. A young woman from Western Oregon named Sara stepped up to the plate and launched her first career home run. A big spot, right?

An actual photo of Sara getting carried toward home plate

Unfortunately, as Sara rounded first base, she tore up her knee quite badly and rolled around in excruciating pain. However, her coach and teammates are NOT allowed to come out and help her. The rules are quite clear on that.

To the surprise of every one, two players from Central Oregon took off their gloves, picked up Sara, and helped her round the bases, lowering her good leg to touch each of them, including home plate.

Do you want to know the most amazing part? That act cost Central Oregon the game. Western won, but no one seemed to care that day. Those Central Oregon players got a standing ovation with screams and cheers from the crowd for their selfless act. The coaches of both teams ran out onto the field, as did players from both benches. Even the umpires were amazed.

One act of kindness can do so much. Wanna make an impact on others, especially for eternity? It doesn’t have to take much at all.

You might be surprised at how much you get out of it too. Proverbs 11:17 says, “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” Give, and you shall receive too.

Titus 3:4-5 – 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love

for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done

but according to His mercy through the washing of regeneration

and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 2:4 – Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance (turning away from sin)?

Romans 11:22 – Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen (into sin), but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness.