Notes of Faith May 2, 2024
The Human Touch of Kindness
He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Proverbs 14:21
“Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year, and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp machine in the lobby. ‘I know,’ said Mamie, ‘but the machine won’t ask me about my arthritis.’”1
Matt 25:34-40
34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
The human touch of kindness is our species’ distinguishing mark and something many go without due to all of the world’s technological advances. Just like Mamie, many people would rather sacrifice the modern-day convenience of a machine in order to receive a friendly greeting from another living, breathing human being. Jesus understood the importance of kindness and took great care in being kind to everyone, especially the downtrodden and unsaved. He knew this was the key to opening the hearts of those who otherwise might never respond to the love of Christ.
Make it your goal to be kind to everyone; you never know who might be in need of the human touch of kindness.
It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.
Martin Luther
Love God. Love others.
Pastor Dale