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The Power of KindnessThe Watchtower—1960 | June 15
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The Power of Kindness
“Continue to love your enemies and to do good and to lend without interest, not hoping for anything back, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. Continue becoming compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”—Luke 6:35, 36.
1. Why and how is kindness a power?
KINDNESS is a power because it finds its source in Jehovah, the Most High God, the great Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” Setting the supreme example, Jehovah shows kindness to all, even “toward the unthankful and wicked.” Because kindness helps the Christian to be like his Father in the heavens, it is a rewarding power. What rewards there are in being a son of the Most High! Truly as Jesus said: “Your reward will be great.” These words remind us of the divine rule stated long ago concerning the power of kindness: “A man of loving-kindness is dealing rewardingly with his own soul.” The kind person may think he gives his kindness away; actually it comes back to reward the one who loves and practices kindness because he wants to be like his Father in heaven.—Jas. 1:17; Luke 6:35; Prov. 11:17.
2, 3. (a) How do worldly writings on kindness fall short, and with what results? (b) What is the right motive for showing kindness?
2 Much can be read about the rewards of kindness in the books of this world; it is a quality praised by philosophers and writers on manners, etiquette and charm. But those who rely on these worldly works do not bring forth the fruitage of God’s spirit, and their highly polished veneer of politeness and correctness often covers hearts wholly antagonistic to the spirit of God. What is wrong? Warmth and love are lacking, because Jehovah and his will are left out of the matter.
3 Because Jehovah is left out of these worldly discussions of kindness it is no wonder that some persons use kindness to benefit themselves in a self-seeking way. They show kindness but they hope for something back, some favor in return. They use kindness like money—to buy what they want. Their motive is wrong. When the Christian manifests his kindness in practical ways, he does so “not hoping for anything back.” He is kind because he loves his heavenly Father. When we love someone we are often surprised how we imitate, seemingly without effort, some of the good traits and qualities of this beloved person. How love should prompt us, then, to cultivate purposely the qualities that distinguish Jehovah God! “Become imitators of God,” is the divine command. Only by being an imitator of God may one prove to be a son of the Most High. Kindness helps the Christian imitate his Father in heaven.—Eph. 5:1.
4. Explain how one manifests kindness.
4 How does one manifest kindness? In many ways: By being disposed to do good to all men, by being merciful, by being compassionate, by being benevolent, by being patient, by being friendly, by being hospitable, by being generous, by being considerate, by being gentle, and by being obliging. Kindness is rooted in love. Paul said: “Love is patient and kind.” (1 Cor. 13:4, AT) Or as the New World Translation puts it: “Love is long-suffering and obliging.” More than friendliness and politeness, kindness is obliging, yes, willing to go out of the way to assist others in both what is temporal and what is spiritual.
A DIVINE REQUIREMENT
5, 6. Give reasons why practicing kindness is a divine requirement.
5 Kindness is closely linked with love in the Scriptures, as in the word “loving-kindness.” This is kindness coming from love, the kind of love that is steadfast and loyal. The person with this loving-kindness shows the indwelling of the holy spirit for the fruitage of God’s spirit includes “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” God’s spirit transforms a person, enabling him to put on the “new personality” required of true Christians: “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering.” So kindness is both a convincing evidence of Christian love and a divine requirement.—Gal. 5:22, 23; Col. 3:12.
6 Throughout the Scriptures there is abundant testimony that Jehovah requires the love of kindness on the part of all those who will gain his approval: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” It is not strange that Jehovah requires us to love kindness. How often the inspired writers extol the loving-kindness of God! How we should appreciate this quality in the heavenly Father! “How precious your loving-kindness is, O God!” Jehovah rightly requires this quality in man: “The desirable thing in earthling man is his loving-kindness.” We cannot please God with sacrifice alone. Through the prophet Hosea Jehovah says: “I desire kindness, and not sacrifice.” Great could be the sacrifices made by the Christian in the service of God, yet without loving-kindness he could not prove himself to be a son of the Most High. It is something to think about: that Jehovah God has placed loving-kindness in this preeminent position. Without the motive and manifestations of love, one could not receive a reward from God no matter how great the sacrifices: “If I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all.”—Mic. 6:8, AS; Ps. 36:7; Prov. 19:22; Hos. 6:6, AS, footnote; 1 Cor. 13:3.
7. What does the heavenly Father primarily look for in man?
7 How clear that the motives of man and the qualities of his heart mean more to Jehovah God than brain power. If Jehovah were primarily interested in brain power he would have chosen the wise and intellectual men of the world for carrying out the great work of preaching the Kingdom good news in all the earth. But he has not placed his spirit on the proud and wise of this world; the apostle says “that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many noble . . . in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God.” The one who seeks to be like his heavenly Father is the one whom God can use and the one whose “reward will be great.”—1 Cor. 1:26-29.
8. What reward does the practice of kindness bring in everyday life?
8 Many are the rewards for practicing kindness now. It is a power that aids us in doing what is right in all the affairs of life. Tactfulness, for instance, can be better understood when we realize that it is rooted in kindness. If we do the kind thing we find that we are doing the tactful thing. How many Talmudlike rules of etiquette are unnecessary, for at the basis of good manners is kindness! Politeness could be defined as kindness in trifles; courtesy as kindness in little things. Kindness is expressed by language as well as by acts. It may seem a little thing to use the word “please,” but when it reflects loving-kindness rather than cold etiquette, it has big significance. We cannot think that Abraham’s, Lot’s and Jehovah’s use of the word was mere formality.—Gen. 12:11-13; 19:1, 2, 18-20; 15:5; 22:1, 2.
9. How does kindness aid one in pursuing peace?
9 Kindness is a power because it helps Christians pursue peace and maintain harmony. It puts misunderstandings to flight and clears the way for forgiveness. In the difficult art of communication, one does not always express thoughts with the desired preciseness; misunderstandings may occur. Here kindness comes to the rescue and preserves peace. It is easy to come to the right understanding through patience and kindness; it is easy to forgive the kind person. Even if one is treated unkindly one’s own kindness blunts the sting of unkindness. Kindness helps everyone live up to the counsel of the apostle: “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.”—Col. 3:13.
10. By applying what Scriptural principle may one solve problems?
10 Kindness solves problems. When confronted with a situation that may not be exactly covered by the Scriptures, the Christian seeks a principle that will help solve the matter. He finds it at Ephesians 4:32: “Become kind to one another.” So when one asks, ‘What is the thing to do?’ the course of action is clear: Do the kind thing, for the kind thing is the right thing.
KINDNESS NOT WEAKNESS
11. What is the mistaken view of kindness, and why is kindness not weakness?
11 To be a power for doing right, both in the eyes of men and the eyes of God, kindness must be without weakness. It is a mistake to think that kindness is an easygoingness that allows wrong practices or conditions in the Christian congregation. The Christian overseer cannot condone what is Scripturally wrong in the mistaken belief that he is thus being kind. Kindness does not have its eyes blindfolded to evil or what is out of harmony with the will of God. Parents are not really kind when they let their children do whatever they wish. Mistaken kindness has resulted in much juvenile delinquency. In a Christian congregation spiritual delinquency can result if the overseer views kindness as lacking firmness. True kindness is firm for what is right in God’s eyes; it insists on obedience to God’s commandments. True kindness need not lead to loss of respect, prompting others to take undue advantage of one. The Lord Jesus Christ exemplified the perfect blend of kindness and firmness.
12. What is said about the kindness of Jesus Christ?
12 Was there ever a man as kind as the Lord Jesus? Being an imitator of his Father in heaven, he set the perfect example for his followers. Kings and rulers of this world are seldom approachable; in any event they are too busy. But the Son of God was always approachable and never too busy to help others in both material and spiritual ways. What compassion he showed! On seeing the crowds of people, “he felt tender affection for them, because they were skinned and knocked about like sheep without a shepherd.” People from all walks of life felt free to approach Jesus. Parents would not hesitate to bring children to him: “People began bringing him young children for him to touch these; but the disciples reprimanded them. At seeing this Jesus was indignant and said to them: ‘Let the young children come to me, do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such kind of persons.’ And he took the children into his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands upon them.” Kind in every way, Jesus was still firm for what was right.—Matt. 9:36; Mark 10:13, 14, 16.
13. Why was Jesus not being unkind in exposing the hypocritical clergy? in reproving Peter?
13 Some persons may think that the Lord Jesus was unkind, when they read the twenty-third chapter of Matthew, about how Jesus exposed and denounced the hypocritical religious leaders. Actually the religious leaders were the unkind persons, having spurned the undeserved kindness of God through his Son. Said Jesus: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her, how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But you people did not want it.” God’s loving-kindness rejected! Being firm for doing the divine will, Jesus reproved not only the hypocritical clergy but also his own disciples when it would have been unkind not to reprove them. When Jesus told his disciples that he “must undergo many sufferings and . . . be killed,” doing so “with outspokenness,” Peter objected. “Peter took him aside and commenced raising strong objections to him, saying: ‘Be kind to yourself, Master; you will not have this destiny at all.’” But Jesus answered: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumblingblock to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.” Jesus was not being unkind. True kindness is a power because it acts to encourage one to do the will of God. No one is ever being kind if he does or encourages others to do what is out of harmony with Jehovah’s will. Jesus had stated the divine will in a forceful manner; yet in the face of this Peter voiced strong objections. These deserved a firm rebuke.—Matt. 23:37; Mark 8:31, 32; Matt. 16:22, 23.
14. What did Paul find it necessary to administer from time to time, and why was this really kindness?
14 The apostle Paul likewise administered stern rebukes when it would have been wrong and unkind not to do so. Wrote Paul to the Corinthians: “Some are puffed up as though I were in fact not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if Jehovah wills, and I shall get to know, not the speech of those who are puffed up, but their power. For the kingdom of God lies not in speech, but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and mildness of spirit?” With peace-breakers, puffed up and arrogant, Paul did not take the attitude: ‘My kindness requires me to let them have their way.’ No, he was courageous enough to use the rod of his mouth to administer the proper discipline; this would have beneficial results both for the individuals involved and the Christian congregation. The results of discipline show that it is kind. Jehovah himself does not hold back from disciplining all who would be his sons: “God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is he that a father does not discipline? But if you are without the discipline of which all have become partakers, you are really illegitimate children, and not sons. Furthermore, we used to have fathers who were of our flesh to discipline us and we used to give them respect. Shall we not much more subject ourselves to the Father of our spiritual life and live? True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness.”—1 Cor. 4:18-21; Heb. 12:7-9, 11.
15. How does the overseer properly treat the flock of God, and how may he deal with an offender?
15 The Christian overseer today will deal with the flock of God with love and mildness of spirit. This does not hinder him, however, in dealing firmly with those who would imperil the cleanliness and peace of the congregation. He will deal with an offender in a kind way; yet if there is no improvement, the overseer may have to use strong speech. If the offender persists in his unrighteousness, the overseer may need to speak in a sternly rebuking way. When Jesus and Paul rebuked others, they did not lose their temper or speak in a way unbecoming to a servant of God. So today the overseer is firm but kind. Writing to Titus, the apostle Paul said: “An overseer must be free from accusation as God’s steward, not self-willed, not prone to wrath . . . but a lover of strangers, a lover of goodness, sound in mind, righteous, having loving-kindness.” The happiness and spiritual health of a Christian congregation depend to a great degree on the overseer’s loving-kindness.—Titus 1:7, 8.
16. (a) How did Paul treat the flock of God, and what counsel did he give to an overseer on how to show kindness? (b) How does the overseer properly treat the elderly and infirm?
16 The apostle Paul had much to say about how to show loving-kindness in the congregation. He himself set an excellent example for all overseers. He wrote to the Thessalonians: “We became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children. You are witnesses, God is also, how true to loving-kindness and righteous and unblamable we proved to be to you believers.” Giving instructions on how to show kindness to each person in the congregation, Paul wrote to the overseer Timothy: “Do not severely criticize an older man. To the contrary, entreat him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with all chasteness. Honor widows that are actually widows.” In the family circle where real love exists, each member treats the other with consideration and kindness. So it should be with the Christian congregation. Some are to be shown the same respect and kindness by overseers as if such ones were their fathers, some as if they were their mothers and some as if they were natural brothers and natural sisters. Doing this, the overseer will also know how to deal kindly with the sick and the infirm. Such ones may not be able to do what they would like to in the Christian ministry; they can only do what their strength allows. Such ones are not to be treated by the overseer as if they are unfaithful to God’s truth; encouragement is what they need, not discouragement. The kind overseer, then, is “tenderly compassionate”; he tries to understand the limitations of others. By his own loving-kindness the overseer encourages all to do what they are able in advancing the good news of God’s kingdom. “Continue becoming compassionate,” said the Lord Jesus, “just as your Father is compassionate.” By trying to understand the problems of the elderly and infirm and by offering what help he can give, the overseer shows compassion and loving-kindness.—1 Thess. 2:7, 10; 1 Tim. 5:1-3; Eph. 4:32; Luke 6:36.
DRAWING POWER OF KINDNESS
17. What is the right response to Jehovah’s loving-kindness?
17 Kindness attracts, unkindness repels. How one is attracted to Jehovah because of his loving-kindness! “His loving-kindness is to time indefinite”—this assurance occurs in every verse of Psalm 136. Thus as one reads the inspired Word and learns of Jehovah’s kindly qualities and of his kind arrangement for forgiveness of sins, one is drawn to Jehovah through his Son. Such kindness causes one to repent and turn away from a course of worldliness, as Paul shows at Romans 2:4: “Do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and long-suffering, because you do not know that the kindly quality of God is trying to lead you to repentance?” Seeing that kindness has such drawing power, the Christian earnestly, fervently, intensely desires to be like his Father in heaven, that by his own kindness he might draw others to the worship of Jehovah God.
18. Contrast the power of kindness with that of unkindness, and so how may a Christian wife win an unbelieving mate to God’s truth?
18 The Christian wife with an unbelieving husband may draw her mate to God’s truth by considerateness and kindness. She does not try to force the truth upon her husband, for she knows the divine will as expressed by Peter: “In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.” A wife may have been at one time disrespectful of her husband’s headship; she may have been censorious and demanding in her ways, nagging and finding fault at every opportunity. She may not have known what the inspired Proverbs state, that “the contentions of a wife are as a leaking roof that drives one away,” that “better is it to dwell in a wilderness land than with a contentious wife along with vexation.” She may not have read the commentary given these Scriptures by Dr. Philip Lai, an Australian doctor with twelve years of experience on polar expeditions. Reporting on a speech he gave, the New York Times of November 24, 1959, said: “Nagging wives, impossible marriages and fatigue from ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ were listed today as some of the reasons why men went to live in the frozen wastes of the Antarctic.” Unkindness repels, repelling some, it seems, as far away as the “wilderness land” of the South Pole! Kindness works differently; it has tremendous drawing power. The wife who puts on “the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loving-kindness” may win her husband to God’s truth “without a word.” Such is the power of kindness!—1 Pet. 3:1, 2; Prov. 19:13; 21:19; Eph. 4:24.
19. Explain how Christian women win true attractiveness.
19 The apostle’s counsel to Christian women shows what is basic for attractiveness. In some lands girls may be sent to so-called charm schools so they can learn how to be charming. The result? All too often a worldly charm called glamour. Worldly sophistication and glamour may deceive those who go by old-world standards, but those with spiritual discernment are not fooled; they know that the qualities of the heart—unselfishness, appreciation, kindness, compassion and mildness—are basic to true attractiveness: “Do not let your adornment be that of the external braiding of the hair and of the putting on of gold ornaments or the wearing of outer garments, but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God”—and in the eyes of man. By cultivating the fruits of the spirit, the Christian woman possesses a charm that no amount of worldly glamour and etiquette could ever give. Again it amounts to putting God’s will first, trying always to be like our Father in heaven.—1 Pet. 3:3, 4.
20. What are the rewards of the power of kindness?
20 Kindness is a rewarding power. It is a fruit of God’s spirit and part of the “new personality.” It is a divine requirement. It helps solve problems. It is a power at the heart of tactfulness, good manners and true attractiveness. It puts misunderstandings to flight. It makes it easy to forgive others. It is firm for what is right. It helps the Christian pursue peace and draw others to Jehovah and his truth. It helps us obey the command: “Become imitators of God.” If we have pursued goodness and compassion and kindness for this reason, it will be as Jesus said: “Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.”—Eph. 5:1; Luke 6:35.
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Showing Kindness to All MenThe Watchtower—1960 | June 15
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Showing Kindness to All Men
1. What effect does the lack of loving-kindness have on this world and on men?
THIS is a cold, inhospitable world because so many persons are without loving-kindness. It is a world wherein strangers are often viewed with an icy suspicion. Fear has had a chilling effect on kindness, and in many persons the love of money has strangled what remained of their loving-kindness. Viewed as a hindrance to financial gain, kindness is often replaced by unscrupulousness; thus mental brilliance has provided no guarantee of kindness. Observing this fact, Sir Robert Watson-Watt, principal inventor of radar, said: “I have suffered more in the conduct of my business from people who are brilliant and ingenious in their own techniques, but who have not been educated in being human beings.” Brilliance without loving-kindness causes one to resemble, not Jehovah God, who is “abundant in loving-kindness,” but rather the one who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone,” Satan the Devil. True it is, that “in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money . . . with no loving-kindness.”—Jonah 4:2, AS; 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.
2. (a) Contrast the “children of God” with the “children of the Devil,” showing their respective fruitage. (b) May the “children of God” properly employ unkindness to try to advance personal or Christian interests?
2 Since the Christian must prove himself to be a son of the Most High and not a “son of the Devil,” how is he to live in a world that has “no loving-kindness”? Can he allow himself to fall into the mud of unkindness in which this wicked world wallows? Can he ever allow himself to try to use unkindness to forge ahead in business, personal or Christian interests? No! not if he wishes to prove himself a son of the Most High, as the apostle John shows: “The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not practice righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother.” The “children of God” cannot adopt the unkind practices of the “children of the Devil.” God’s children cannot bring forth, like the “sons of disobedience,” rotten fruit, but they must “go on walking as children of light, for the fruitage of the light consists of every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” Certainly “children of light” cannot employ unkindness to try to advance personal interests or Jehovah’s interests; rather, they use “every kind of goodness.” So kindness or the lack of it furnishes identity as to our sonship.—Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10; Eph. 5:6, 8, 9.
3, 4. How may Christians recommend themselves as God’s ministers?
3 Kindness informs others as to whether we are imitating God or not; it has the power to give one a recommendation. This is even recognized by the world, as when a noted man went out of his way to carry a suitcase for an elderly lady in a railroad station; and an observer remarked: “That is the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.” Christians, of all persons, must be walking sermons, their daily speech and conduct recommending themselves as God’s ministers. “In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling,” wrote the apostle Paul, “that our ministry might not be found fault with; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God’s ministers, by the endurance of much, . . . by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness.”—2 Cor. 6:3-6.
4 Kindness is thus part of the “every way” by which the true ministers of God recommend themselves at all times, thereby proving to others that they are “children of light.” This means that they must be “children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world.” Christians must shine both as regards the light of Bible truths and by their moral conduct; in a twofold way they shine brilliantly as illuminators in a crooked world that has “no loving-kindness.”—Phil. 2:15.
5. How did Jesus stress the importance of showing kindness to all men?
5 So if the Christian is going to recommend himself as God’s minister, he must be willing to show kindness to all men. This includes his Christian brothers, strangers, “the unthankful and wicked,” and, yes, even his enemies. Said the Lord Jesus: “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing? You must accordingly be complete, as your heavenly Father is complete.”—Luke 6:35; Matt. 5:44-48.
KINDNESS TO STRANGERS A RESPONSIBILITY
6. How did Paul stress showing kindness to all men?
6 Kindness to all men, as the Son of God explained so forcefully, is a Christian responsibility. The apostle of Jesus Christ admonishes us to keep this responsibility always in mind; Paul wrote: “Let your brotherly love continue. Do not forget kindness to strangers, for through it some, unknown to themselves, entertained angels.” What rewards came to Abraham, Lot and Manoah because they were kind to all men! They entertained angels and received blessings from the Most High, because they never forgot “kindness to strangers.”—Heb. 13:1, 2; Gen. 18:1-10; 19:1-29; Judg. 13:8-20.
7. How do Christians today show kindness to strangers, and why are they happy in doing this?
7 How can Christians today show kindness to strangers? By following the example of Jesus Christ. He showed kindness to all persons, and the most important way he did this was by inviting others to feast upon spiritual food, the truths concerning the “kingdom of the heavens.” To advance the interests of God’s kingdom Jesus showed kindness in every way. Right from the beginning of his ministry he showed hospitality to strangers so as to help them spiritually. When John the Baptist introduced Jesus to two of his disciples, they followed Jesus and asked him: “Where are you staying?” Jesus answered: “Come, and you will see.” “Accordingly they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” So the abode of Jesus was a hospitable place; he used it as a means to help others learn about God’s kingdom. But primarily Jesus went to the homes of others, not to beg but to give; he showed kindness to strangers by going to their homes to teach them about the kingdom of heaven. So Christians today not only make their homes hospitable places but are willing to go to the homes of strangers, that they may have a part in the great preaching work foretold by the Lord Jesus: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations.” Today this great preaching and teaching work is being done worldwide by Jehovah’s witnesses, and happy are those who have a part in it! Thus kindness to strangers brings the reward of happiness now. Wrote the apostle Paul: “You must assist those who are weak and must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”—John 1:35-39; Matt. 24:14; Acts 20:35.
8. Why may some feel reluctant to show kindness to strangers, but what is the right attitude?
8 Because of the lack of loving-kindness among many householders today, some Christians may feel reluctant to go to the homes of strangers with the Kingdom message as Jesus and the apostles did. Such ones may feel that the unthankfulness and unkindness of people in general make it too difficult to bring them spiritual things. But if the Christian has real kindness in his heart, he will not hold back from sharing his spiritual goodness with strangers, unthankful though many of them may be. Is not Jehovah God kind even toward the unthankful and wicked? Jehovah God has showed his loving-kindness toward all men by sending his Son into the world, “in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” That is undeserved kindness on the part of God. Despite the preaching of God’s kingdom and other good works, the Christian is not perfect; he cannot earn salvation. So Jehovah treats us kindly. How God’s kindness should inspire us to be like him! “When the kindness and the love for man on the part of our Savior, God, was manifested, owing to no activities in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Since Jehovah has set a loving example like this, how can any Christian who longs to be a son of the Most High hold back from showing kindness to strangers?—John 3:16; Titus 3:4, 5.
9. Why is it important to share the Kingdom good news with strangers, and does the inhospitality of householders discourage the minister of God?
9 If a person receives God’s goodness and, in turn, is not willing to show kindness to strangers by bringing them the Kingdom good news, he is not showing himself like the Father in heaven but he is letting the Devil make him what Jehovah does not want him to be—unkind to strangers. Kindness to strangers is God’s will for Christians. So the minister of God gladly visits strangers to tell them about God’s kingdom, though he may, at times, have to talk to them through a peephole. The lack of hospitality of householders does not discourage the minister of God; he does not give up in doing what is kind. “Let us not give up in doing what is right.”—Gal. 6:9.
10. How does the Christian show kindness to his enemies and persecutors, and what benefits result from this course of action?
10 It is a test of the Christian’s kindness and love for strangers as to how he responds to unkindness. When he is treated unkindly, he “does not need to fight, but needs to be tactful toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed, as perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:24, 25) The Christian minister dissolves hostility with kindness: “Keep on blessing those who persecute; be blessing and do not be cursing. But, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.’ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.” (Rom. 12:14, 20, 21) Again we read: “When being reviled, we bless; when being persecuted, we bear up; when being defamed, we entreat.” (1 Cor. 4:12, 13) So the Christian does not return evil when he is reviled; he blesses. When persecuted, he bears up under the unkindness and is not crushed in spirit. Jailers and prison guards have come to a knowledge of the truth because Christians “keep on blessing those who persecute.”—Acts 16:25-34.
KINDNESS TO THE BROTHERS
11. What example did Gaius set in showing kindness?
11 The Christian has the privilege of showing kindness not only to strangers and persecutors but also to his Christian brothers who are not known to him personally. The apostle John wrote his beloved friend Gaius: “Beloved one, you are doing a faithful work in whatever you do for the brothers, and strangers at that, who have borne witness to your love before the congregation. These you will please send on their way in a manner worthy of God. For it was in behalf of his name that they went forth, not taking any money from the people of the nations. We, therefore, are under obligation to receive such persons hospitably, that we may become workers with them in the truth. Beloved one, be an imitator, not of what is evil, but of what is good. He that does good originates with God.” So kindness is shown not only by preaching and teaching others God’s truths but by showing hospitality and kindness as did Gaius. He was “doing a faithful work,” and John commended him highly; for those who were recipients of his kindness were “strangers at that.” It may hurt financially at times to show such kindness, but Gaius was not begrudging in his hospitality. Gaius’ kindness brought him many blessings. Besides that heart-warming letter from the apostle John, he was blessed with the privilege of using his home for a meeting place of the congregation in Corinth and of entertaining the apostle Paul: “Gaius, my host and that of all the congregation.” Rich in kindness and love, Gaius had unspeakable blessings; and the testimony to his kindness is there in the ever-enduring Word of God.—3 John 5-8, 11; Rom. 16:23.
12, 13. What is said of the kindness shown by Philemon and Onesiphorus?
12 Setting a good example also in showing kindness to his Christian brothers was Philemon. Writing to him, Paul said: “I always thank my God when I make mention of you in my prayers, as I keep hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the holy ones. For I get much joy and comfort over your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed through you, brother.” We do not know what Philemon did to refresh the hearts of the holy ones, but it was some form of kindness. Paul thanked Jehovah in his prayers for such evidences of Philemon’s love.—Philem. 4, 5, 7.
13 Onesiphorus likewise opened wide the apostle’s heart through thoughtful kindness. In Rome he hunted for Paul and found him and evidently brought the apostle some refreshment. Paul often had reason to thank Jehovah for Onesiphorus’ kindness: “May the Lord grant him to find mercy from Jehovah in that day. And all the services he rendered in Ephesus you know well enough.”—2 Tim. 1:16-18.
14, 15. Why are Onesiphorus, Philemon and Gaius good examples for Christians, and how did the Philippians also show the Christian spirit?
14 Onesiphorus, Philemon and Gaius were Christians who were alertly thoughtful as to kindness. They did not let opportunities slip by; they were not so engrossed in their personal interests that they did not think of the needs of others. In this regard we are reminded of the Philippians. In the loving letter to the Philippians, we learn of the close, sympathetic bond between Paul and the congregation. Indeed, one of the reasons for Paul’s writing the letter was to express his gratitude for the kindness of the Philippians. On a number of different occasions they had rendered practical sympathy and kindness to Paul by material assistance, plus words of comfort and cheer. Twice they sent gifts to Paul while he was in Thessalonica, and when the apostle was a prisoner in Rome they dispatched Epaphroditus to him with a memorial of their love. Paul sent Epaphroditus back with this letter that shows that the Philippians were often in Paul’s prayers:
15 “I thank my God always upon every remembrance of you in every supplication of mine for all of you . . . It is altogether right for me to think this regarding all of you, on account of my having you in my heart.” “You Philippians, also know that at the start of declaring the good news, when I departed from Macedonia, not a congregation took a share with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone, because, even in Thessalonica, you sent something to me both once and a second time for my need. . . . I am filled, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a sweet-smelling odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. In turn, my God will fully supply all your need to the extent of his riches in glory by means of Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 1:3, 4, 7; 4:15, 16, 18, 19.
16. Who assumes the obligation of repaying us for the kindness shown to all men?
16 The Philippians would not go unrewarded for this kindness, Paul shows. God would “fully supply” all their need. Jehovah God assumes the responsibility of repaying kindness, whether we render it to strangers or to Christian brothers. Jehovah’s Word assures us of this: “He that is showing favor to the lowly one is lending to Jehovah, and his treatment he will repay to him.” “Send out your bread upon the surface of the waters, for in the course of many days you will find it again.” “You know that each one, whatever good he may do, will receive this back from Jehovah.”—Prov. 19:17; Eccl. 11:1; Eph. 6:8.
REWARDS FOR SHOWING KINDNESS
17, 18. What unexpected blessings came about because of the kindness shown by Dorcas?
17 So whatever we sow will come back to us. If we sow kindness we will receive kindness back; “in the course of many days you will find it again.” Unexpected blessings come to Christians for showing kindness to all men. Take, for example, Dorcas. “She abounded in good deeds and gifts of mercy that she was rendering. But in those days she happened to fall sick and die.” The disciples at Lydda, where Dorcas had died, heard that the apostle Peter was in a nearby city, Joppa. They sent two men to Peter to entreat him: “Please do not hesitate to come on as far as us.” When Peter arrived at Lydda, “they led him up into the upper chamber, and all the widows presented themselves to him weeping and exhibiting many inner garments and outer garments which Dorcas used to make while she was with them.” We can well picture the scene: A group of widows, tearful and sorrowful at the loss of a dear friend and sister, exhibiting the proofs of Dorcas’ love and kindness, each of them speaking to the apostle about the kindness that had been shown to herself. We know what happened: Peter put everybody outside and prayed to Jehovah. “She opened her eyes and, as she caught sight of Peter, she sat up. Giving her his hand, he raised her up, and he called the holy ones and the widows and presented her alive.”—Acts 9:36-41.
18 What an unexpected blessing! Raised from the dead! This was the first resurrection miracle recorded as performed by one of the apostles, and the circumstances that led to it were rooted in kindness. Who can say that this miracle would have happened if Dorcas had not been abundant in loving-kindness? Not only were Dorcas and the widows blessed, but the occasion furnished a witness to the truth and “many became believers upon the Lord.”—Acts 9:42.
19. What is the divine rule regarding the harsh, cruel person, and how is this illustrated?
19 Those who fail to show kindness to all men miss out on many blessings. Just as it is true that “a man of loving-kindness is dealing rewardingly with his own soul,” so it is that “the cruel person is bringing trouble upon his own organism.” (Prov. 11:17) That is the divine rule. Well illustrating it are Abigail and Nabal. Abigail was “good at discernment and beautiful in form, but the husband was harsh and bad in his practices.” David had showed kindness to Nabal, and one day he sent his men to Nabal to ask for a little food: “Just give, please, whatever your hand may find to your servants and to your son David.” Cruel, stingy Nabal “screamed rebukes at them.” This angered David; he put his sword on, and he and his men determined to repay Nabal for his unkindness. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, intercepted David, bringing him “two hundred loaves of bread and two large jars of wine and five sheep dressed and five seah measures of roasted grain and a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs.” Abigail, in an impassioned plea, reflecting her kindness and discernment, persuaded David not to enter into bloodguilt. As for Nabal, “Jehovah struck Nabal, so that he died.” David recognized that Nabal received from Jehovah what he had coming to him: “David got to hear that Nabal had died and so he said: ‘Blessed be Jehovah, who has conducted the legal case of my reproach. . . , and the evilness of Nabal Jehovah has turned back upon his own head!’” As for kind, sensible Abigail, she had an unexpected blessing: “David proceeded to send and propose to Abigail to take her as his wife.”—1 Sam. 25:3, 8, 14, 18, 38, 39.
20. Why is the mean, cruel person certain to receive the repayment he deserves?
20 We will receive from Jehovah what we have coming to us. Unkindness comes back to one just as surely as does kindness. The mean, cruel person loses out on the blessings of showing kindness and reaps—even in a number of ways—only “trouble upon his own organism.” If the cruel person escapes repayment by man or seems not to suffer from body-injuring emotions, he cannot escape repayment from Jehovah, the accurate Account-keeper. “Certainly,” declares Paul, “the man that is doing unrighteousness will receive back what he unrighteously did, and there is no partiality.” On the other hand, “he that is pursuing righteousness and loving-kindness will find life, righteousness and glory.”—Col. 3:25; Prov. 21:21.
21. What is God opposed to, but what is the Christian spirit?
21 What abundant testimony there is that God is opposed to unkindness—meanness, harshness, stinginess, narrowness and selfishness! The Christian spirit is in accord with gentleness, compassion, long-suffering, hospitality and generosity. The Christian measure is nothing skimpy, though it might be overflowing. Said Jesus: “Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out they will measure out to you in return.”—Luke 6:38.
22. How should Christians measure out their kindness, and what will be the result?
22 Let us measure out our kindness, then, generously. In showing kindness to strangers by teaching them the Kingdom truths, Christians have the opportunity to show generosity by giving freely of their time. To measure out time skimpily in God’s precious Kingdom ministry, when we could measure it out generously, will deprive us of blessings: “He that sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Being generous with our kindness to all men will bring rich rewards and unexpected blessings—yes, and you will “prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens.”—2 Cor. 9:6; Matt. 5:45.
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Pursuing My Purpose in LifeThe Watchtower—1960 | June 15
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Pursuing My Purpose in Life
As told by Ragna S. Ingwaldsen
DECEMBER 25, 1959, was a happy day for me, not for the reason that the world celebrated it, but because it marked my eleventh anniversary as a missionary in Venezuela. They have been eleven happy years, full of wonderful experiences in bringing the message of God’s kingdom to the friendly people of this South American country.
My service to Jehovah did not begin eleven years ago, however. It began long before that. In fact, I was blessed with the privilege of being reared in God’s service. Back in 1906, when I was a little tot, my mother took me to the Minneapolis convention, where she was immersed in water in symbol of her dedication to God. From then on she never failed to inculcate in me a strong love for him and for his visible organization. I soon learned the importance of serving Jehovah by participating regularly in the witness work. I was happy to go along with my mother and help distribute from house to house tracts that were called “Bible Students Monthly.”
In 1914 the great work with the Photo-Drama of Creation began. Although I was too young to have a large part in it, I did give out invitations and attended the showings. I delighted in seeing over and over again these movies and slides about Biblical events.
Our home was always open to pioneers, who, at that time, were called colporteurs. To me they always seemed to stand out as the ones who had a deep appreciation of Jehovah’s truth. Since my mother and aunt were also colporteurs, I resolved to be one too some day. I dedicated my life to Jehovah and was baptized in 1918.
While still in school I had the privilege of distributing the famous book The Finished Mystery, which was used as a basis for unjustly sending some of our brothers to prison. When I participated in the work
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