Wealth of Kindness

“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.” (Pr 19:22 AV)

This is a tough one to understand.  The poor man is the man whose desire is to show kindness.  The liar is a man of mean who wishes not to show kindness.  The point of the proverb is kindness is better than the opposite, even if it means we do without.  To be kind is a blessing to one’s own heart as well as the heart of another.  To be unkind blesses no one.  Knowing many kind people of my day, I can honestly say, they are the most blessed of all people, but often suffer needs of their own.  They derive pleasure in helping others and somehow, this reduces the effect suffering a need may have on their own life.  Their needs don’t seem nearly as overwhelming as another’s need and thus their burden is lessened by the mere act of being kind to another.

Being kind doesn’t necessarily mean one has to be charitable with material goods in order to prove kindness.  There are others ways in which a soul can be kind.  Have you ever noticed that it is common to see a greeter with a handicap at your local hospital?  Some may be cynical and think it is the only job someone with those abilities could find.  I think it is much more.  The other day, I had to take my wife for an outpatient procedure.  We passed a young lady sitting at a small portable podium type desk.  She was there to assist people in finding their destination.  She was part of security, but you could tell she was not mobile enough to chase down trouble.  She was there to help and greet.  She had a really great smile and outgoing personality.  Despite her set back.  In fact, her set back was the reason she was who she was.  She was more pleasant then the vast majority of others there to secure the area.  We had a great conversation.  Merry Christmas’ all around.

Being kind could mean opening a door for someone else.  Being kind could mean starting a conversation with someone who seems down or lost in their own world.  Being kind could mean buying that first responder a cup of coffee.  Being kind could be in the form of a simple compliment.  Being kind could be expressed by a desire to pray for someone.  Being kind may look like a phone call or text, just to check up on someone.  Being kind ultimately has its expression in sharing the gospel of Christ with someone who desperately needs it.  It is better to be kind and lack some need than to have all your needs met and not care about another soul.  Being kind brings an inner peace and joy that cannot be matched.  As expression of love to a total stranger is more blessed than most all other pursuits.  Being kind always results in kindness in return.  A smile.  A thank you.  A burden being lifted.  Greater riches than even the most unkind, yet wealthy person, could ever hope to obtain.