Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
Summary: Solomon has a pithy way of summarizing important truths. We do not live in a vacuum and our actions and words are never without consequence for ourselves as well as those around us.
When we think about people doing something to someone else, whether kindness or cruelty, I suppose it is normal to think of the action as an arrow. A cruel look can shoot silently across a room and send a poison arrow of disgust or condescension. A kind word, spoken unexpectedly, can send a warm smile to the person on the receiving end. In both cases, we tend to see these things as doing something to someone.
In the spiritual realm, there is an invisible mirror that reflects our thoughts and actions back at us. What happens is that when we “shoot” our arrows, we are actually shooting at ourselves.
Jesus describes the mirror this way:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7: 1)
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)
Solomon’s proverb today reflects this same principle. When we do a kindness to someone, it comes back to us with a feeling of having done the right thing. We know something good has happened. If we do something cruel, not only have we brought evil into the world, we end up hurting ourselves.
Application: Think of life as a mirror and reflect on what that means.
Food for Thought: Is being “kind” the same thing as being “good?”
Is being “kind” the same thing as being “good?”
Kindness is being generous, considerate and helpful. It is an acting on a sense on openness and empathy.
Galatians 6:9-10 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Goodness is righteousness in action. It is deciding to follow a life devoted to God’s Word (there is no righteousness without God).
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Thanks, Chris!
I like the connection you draw between goodness and righteousness.
They are different.
If one made a Venn diagram of the actions that are good and kind, they would have a giant center and a rather small outer. However, if one made a Venn diagram of the reasons the actions are good or kind you’d see a much smaller center.
Take vacuuming. It is good to vacuum. It is also kind to vacuum. Well, it’s good to vacuum because the house needs to be clean and it’s on the chore list. But, it’s kind to vacuum because guests won’t be walking into dirt and grime, other people in the house don’t have to vacuum, in fact it might’ve been their chore and you’re helping them.
It is good to be kind and being kind is good, but they aren’t exactly the same.
A –
Venn are you going to make this diagram?? 🙂
Ha!
Interesting devotion. Good responses.
I agree with Chris in that I see kindness as being considerate, generous and thoughtful. Goodness is doing what is right. Sometimes doing what is right does not feel kind. Judging an evil doer is right, but to the evil doer it may not feel kind. The same could go for discipline.
Brother Rich,
Interesting! You bring to mind 1 Corinthians 5: 12-13:
“ What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.'”
06-15-2022, Proverbs 11:16, Is being “kind” the same thing as being “good?”
Both are defined by God and come from God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Goodness refers to the quality of being virtuous or morally good, the exact opposite of evil, and grows in the heart of believers to the degree we submit to God’s will over our own.
Being good is a state of being, while being kind involves an action toward another, and is the fruit of growing in goodness of God.
Mark 10:18, James 1:17, Luke 18:19, Matthew 19:17,
Psalms 31:19,145:9
Kindness is the fruit of God’s goodness in His people toward others. Being considerate, friendly, affection, gentle, and caring are some qualities of kindness which is considered a virtue. There are various ways to practice kindness. Acts of kindness are opening a door for another, a kind word or a smile, helping someone to carry a heavy load and giving food to someone hungry, taking time to notice another and spend time listening to their needs, concerns, greatest fears rather than spending time trying to correct obvious shortcomings, or minimizing ours.
2 Peter 1:5-7, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:12
Ron,
I really like the distinction you write about between “good” meaning putting God’s will first and kindness being the fruit of good. Well said!
All great comments that help give me wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I have heard multiple times today by other brothers how giving someone time is such a great action to show you care and that they matter.
Tim,
You yourself are a living example of this principle. You inspire me! 🙂