Day 7: The Golden Rule

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12 NIV).

For several weeks, Timothy studied wisdom, integrity, and several other core values related to taking personal responsibility: conviction, self-discipline, and diligence. Then he took a week’s sabbatical from his quest.

When he resumed his research and reflection, he focused on various character values that show when a person treats others the way he or she would like to be treated. The first value he examined was kindness. He described kindness as “Selflessly caring about and helping others.”

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ (Ephesians 4:32 HCSB).

Kindness, he realized, is a many-splendored thing! It can involve friendliness, compassion, gentleness, generosity, and – most difficultly – forgiveness.

Living the Golden Rule

Why care about kindness? Because even among non-Christ-followers, kindness creates friendships, strengthens relationships, increases enjoyment, reduces stress, and calms anger. Ponder these comments:

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. —Mark Twain

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate —Albert Schweitzer

Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me —Author unknown

For Christ-followers, the example and constant loving-kindness of God Himself should drive us to our knees. Think of John 3:16 and Romans 5:8.

1. As a leader, what are the risks and rewards of showing kindness?
2. As a discipler, how are you cultivating kindness in yourself and others?

Read about David’s kindness in 2 Samuel 9. Ponder Matthew 7:12.

Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for Your constant loving-kindness. Please help me do likewise.