Be Kind-hearted
If you see your fellow Israelite's ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.
If you see your fellow Israelite's donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet. Deuteronomy 22:1-4
If you see your fellow Israelite's donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet. Deuteronomy 22:1-4
God gave the Israelites a social obligation to be kind and show in very practical ways that they cared about each other. Straying donkeys were to be given a home until recovered by the owner. Lost items were to be kept until the right owners came to claim them. Fallen oxen and donkeys were to be helped to their feet. The Israelites were commanded by God to reach out to their fellow citizens in real acts of kindness. Simply put: God's children were to care for each other. If these simple but rather profound acts of kindness were carried out, the Israelite society would be peaceful and enjoyable to live in.
Needless to say, times have changed. People are simply afraid to reach out and help others because there could be consequences if things went wrong! In our very litigious society, you could probably be sued if you reached out to help and the other person got hurt or harmed in any way. These are days when we look the other way when we see people being beaten right before our eyes. We are afraid to do things even for our neighbors. But should that be the case?
I believe God is powerful and just to protect those who still take Him at His word. The increasing wickedness of society should not negate the word of God. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit of God and should never be negated by any form of fear. We must use wisdom and be sensible about when to reach out and when not to. There are definitely times when it would be best to stay put. Nonetheless, that should be the exception rather than the rule!
Being kind-hearted is a Christian core value because it is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit who lives in us. Be kind-hearted. Look for opportunities to show kindness and you will reap heavenly rewards!
Needless to say, times have changed. People are simply afraid to reach out and help others because there could be consequences if things went wrong! In our very litigious society, you could probably be sued if you reached out to help and the other person got hurt or harmed in any way. These are days when we look the other way when we see people being beaten right before our eyes. We are afraid to do things even for our neighbors. But should that be the case?
I believe God is powerful and just to protect those who still take Him at His word. The increasing wickedness of society should not negate the word of God. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit of God and should never be negated by any form of fear. We must use wisdom and be sensible about when to reach out and when not to. There are definitely times when it would be best to stay put. Nonetheless, that should be the exception rather than the rule!
Being kind-hearted is a Christian core value because it is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit who lives in us. Be kind-hearted. Look for opportunities to show kindness and you will reap heavenly rewards!
Prayer: Lord, I ask that you help me to make myself available to those who need my help. Anoint me with wisdom to know and see the various opportunities that you bring my way to express the love of Jesus. Help me to reach out in practical acts of kindness. Amen.