Kill them with Kindness
Photo Credit
“Where are your shoes?” I asked the young guy standing beside me.
“We didn’t have any size tens,” he responded. I gave my shoe-less brother a big hug. We’d volunteered to help with our church’s monthly clothing drive at the Homeless Shelter, and his generosity spoke volumes about loving sacrificially.
In Romans, Paul challenges us to wear a badge of love as Christ followers. As His ambassadors in this broken world, we cannot stand aloof on the sidelines when we see our brother in need. We must step in and “kill them with kindness.”
The ESV translation words Paul’s challenge to the church at Rome beautifully: “Outdo one another in showing honor.” In a world that lauds competition and ambition, Christ followers stand apart by setting aside their personal agenda to selflessly serve.
In the Old Testament story of Ruth, Boaz shows honor by unselfishly blessing two widows, Ruth and Naomi. His generosity was not a casual response. He purposed to meet their need by sharing of the harvest, rather than hoarding God’s provision. He could have looked the other way, but his tenderheartedness helped transform a tragedy into a redemption story.
Who in your circle of influence needs to experience God’s love and redemption today? Like Boaz, you can purpose to share out of your abundance to meet a need. You can shower someone with kindness and point them to Jesus.
God might not ask you to give away your shoes like my friend at the homeless shelter did, but He may ask you to walk across the street with a casserole dish. He may prompt you to mow someone’s lawn or pay for groceries to fill an empty pantry. Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you. Serving sacrificially in your community may open the door for His love to transform your neighbor’s story.
Let’s purpose to outdo one another in living lives that actively display God’s abundant love and unending grace.
Let’s Talk: Think about the last time someone made an extra effort to extend kindness and generosity to you. How did it make a difference in your life?
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“Kill Them with Kindness” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.
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Thanks!!! I needed this today!
Boy, I love that young guy. Bless him for abandoning his footwear to someone who needed it more.
Chances are, just like the rest of us, he had more than a few pairs waiting for him at home.
Love that guy.
I love the story about the shoes. What a heart! There have been many times when I’ve been the recipient of someone else’s kindness. And it’s beyond explaining – it makes you feel important, noticed, cherished. One of the things I love most about Jesus is that He was kind. He always seemed to notice those who needed Him the most.
Later this week I am heading down to see my mother again. And sometimes the whole situation makes me feel so frustrated and impatient. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to display His kindness through me toward my mom. Because indeed, a kind word or act is a soothing balm to the soul.
GOD BLESS!
I just received an act of kindness just yesterday when another blogger featured my post. I was quickly humbled and grateful.
The reality is that it doesn’t take much to be kind to one another. Thanks for the reminder that it can really be simple or profound!
Beautiful and convicting post..as usual..thanks
I love your brother’s remark. Perfect! Neighbor #32 at Jennifer’s today! Glad I read this.
I’ve always loved the idea of “killing them with kindness.” As a kid, my siblings and I formed a club called “Burning Coals. The whole idea was to do random acts of kindness.
I’m really into it, thanks for this great stuff!
Great memories you spark here- and a great call to action, too! Thanks Lyli!
#TellHisStory
Wow… this reminds me of a Jen Hatmaker story from one of her books about how the ladies at a conference mostly went home shoe-less after leaving them up front in a donation for a shelter around the corner…
Big beautiful challenge today to outdo one another with acts of kindness..! Thank you!! Gosh we’ve received so many random acts ourselves it’s hard to pick one… our dishwasher had been broken for almost a year and one day we came home to a brand new one having been installed while we were away for the weekend. Thinking it was my dad because he was the only one with a key to my house, I called to thank him but he said he just assisted the person whose idea it was and was bound under oath not to tell me who our benefactor was! (though I have my suspicions it was my prayer partner’s husband..)
Wow, what an amazing young man…Thanks, Lyli, for the inspiration 🙂
Lyli – I always enjoy your post! Thank you so much for sharing the story of the shoes and I have always used the phrase with my kids – kill them with kindness – You shared such great points. Your neighbor at #GiveMeGrace