Kindness

     When I consider the subject of kindness I think of holding the door open for someone. This small act went from being something taught to boys growing up to being a “condescending” gesture during the 70’s when equal rights for women was starting to become more noticed, to now I think it has come back some.

    I do think that over the years there has been a slow hardening of some hearts, which effects how we think of others and ourselves.
    This study will look at what God does to show kindness. How we as people react to acts of kindness; both expressing it and receiving. And the benefits both get from such acts should be considered as well. We as disciples are called to God’s standard, which is quite different than that of the world and so this is something I really need to take to heart.
    I hope you enjoy the study,

Table of Contents:
Pg 1  Introduction                                                     Pg 7  Seeking opportunities to    
          Table of Contents:                                                          express God’s kindness
          Definitions                                                       Pg 8  Closed Heart to kindness:
Pg 2  Key Verse                                                                  Responding to God’s Kindness:
            The Kindness of God                                            Closed Heart softened:
Pg 4  Responding to God’s Kindness                             Examples             
Pg 5  Kindness for Kindness:                                Pg 9  Applications
                     Seeking payback:                              Pg 10 Prayers
Pg 6  Encouraging kindness for kindness:         Pg 11 Summation
          Response to kindness: A softened heart: Pg 12 Related Verses:
          Kindness bringing out kindness:                 Pg 13 Unused verses
                             

Background: Definition: Oxford Living Dictionary
Kindness: noun:
Friendly, generous, considerate:
Friendly Def: A person on good or affectionate terms. Not in conflict,
Generous Def: A readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is strictly necessary or expected.
Considerate Def: Careful not to inconvenience or harm others.

Grace:
1. (In Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Personal Note: I consider kindness as something people deserve, while Grace is offered by God that is undeserved and any kindness I receive from God comes out of His Grace, totally undeserved by me. Grace is therefore something I too should extend to others just as Jesus did,
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KEY VERSE: 3 Verses
Rom 2 God’s Righteous Judgment: (v1-16)
4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Col 3 Living as Those Made Alive in Christ: (v1-17)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Titus 3 Saved in Order to Do Good: (v1-11)
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

The Kindness of God: (9 Verses)
Prayer of Praise and thanks:
Gen 32 Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau: (v1-21)
9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

Hidden Kindness:
Gen 39 Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife: (v1-23)
20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

#   The kindness of God, helped Joseph repeatedly, in ways that seemed from the outside to be not very kind. The results were it did not prevent him going to prison for years for a crime he did not commit. This is a good example of the phrase “"Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage". (A poem by Richard Lovelace in 1642.)
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Ezra 9 Ezra’s Prayer About Intermarriage: (v1-15)
7 From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.

8 “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place [Or a foothold] in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. 9 Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

#   God used others to show kindness to his people.

Jer 31 Restoration of Israel: (v30:1-24 – 31:1-40)
3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

#   God’s kindness draws people to him. Our kindness to others can do the same thing, for we are here in the world to do works he prepared for us Eph 2:6-10 (I)

Is 54 The Future Glory of Zion: (v1-17)
6 The Lord will call you (Zion) back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit--
a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.

#   Treat of kindness – showing compassion (II)

Jer 9 Sin and Punishment: (v8:1-22 – 9:1-26)
23 This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

#   During a time of judgment for sins, God actively planned for and executed ways of expressing his kindness to his chosen people, another example of God’s grace.

Footnotes:
[I] Eph 2 MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST: (v1-10)           
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

[II] Definition: : sympathetic awareness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

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pg 4
Gal 5 Life by the Spirit: (v1-25)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

#   Kindness is a quality of God, being one of the fruits of the Spirit, therefore any time I show kindness I am showing others God’s natural state and nature toward mankind.

Acts 14 In Lystra and Derbe: (v8-20)
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this (the Greeks thought they were gods and wanted to offer sacrifices to them), they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

#   God is the source of all our blessings; such as rain, crops for food that satisfy our hearts and provide us with joy.

Eph 2 Made Alive in Christ: (v1-10)
3 All of us (disciples) also lived among them (sinners) at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[Greek: the sinful state of humans] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

#   God’s kindness comes out of his grace.

Responding to God’s Kindness:
Rom 2 God’s Righteous Judgment: (v1-16) NOTE: Should read Rom 1 for context
1 You (the sinful), therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we (disciples) know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
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#   From the beginning God intent has been to bring everyone back into fellowship with him. This is why every act of kindness on God’s part has been done, having the expressed intent to soften hard sinful hearts and bring about the desired repentance we are all called to in Christ.

Titus 3 Saved in Order to Do Good: (v1-11)
3 At one time we (disciples) too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

#   Look back at Jer 31:3 and Gal 5:22-23 (pg 3)

Kindness for Kindness: Seeking payback:
Gen 21 The Treaty at Beersheba: (v22-34)
22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”

Gen 40 The Cup bearer and the Baker: (v1-23)
14 But when all goes well with you (the Cup bearer), remember me (Joseph) and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.

#   The kindness of Joseph did not seem to soften the heart of the cupbearer.

Josh 2 Rahab and the Spies: (v1-24)
12 “Now then, please swear to me (Rahab) by the Lord that you (the spies) will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

1 Sam 20 David and Jonathan: (v1-42)
8 As for you (Jonathan), show kindness to your servant (David), for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

1 Sam 20 David and Jonathan: (v1-42)
12 Then Jonathan said to David, “I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? 13 But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father. 14 But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, 15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
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#   One sided kindness in a relationship is definitely not good, where one is being kind the other is taking advantage. However, showing kindness with the expectation of receiving it in return is too much like Jesus parable about who to invite to a meal. Friends, relatives or rich neighbor may invite you back, we should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind who can’t return the kindness. Luke 14:12-14 (II)

Encouraging kindness for kindness:
1 Kings 2 David’s Charge to Solomon: (v1-12)
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

# David point out the past wrongs done by Joab son of Zeruiah, killing Abner and Amasa telling Solomon to “Deal with him according to your wisdom” v6 But David wants Solomon to repay a kindness shown out of gratitude, when he provided for him during his stay in Mahanaim, during the time when Absalom tried to take over the kingdom 2 Sam19:32 (I) David was effected so much that many years later he still wanted to extend a kindness in return.
    For us, a practical would be to “Pay it Forward” don’t worry about repaying a kindness, just extend a kindness to the next person.

NOTE: There are 6 verses listed here from the Old Testament where people are seeking a kindness in response to a previous kindness given. In the New Testament kindness is presented as being expected, to be shown to everyone, I think there is an emphasis to being kind to those who can’t return the kindness, Luke 14:12-14 (II)

Response to kindness: A softened heart:
Ruth 3 Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor: (v1-18)
9 “Who are you?” he (Boaz) asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer [a Hebrew legal term that obligates a person to help a relative in serious difficulty] of our family.”

10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier (I think this is how Boaz saw Ruth’s relationship with Naomi): You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

#   Kindness takes effort. Here Ruth listened to Naomi’s advice. Got up in the middle of the night and went to the threshing floor to meet Boaz. When they talked she was humble and continued to present herself as a humble serving woman devoted to Naomi and now to Boaz. All qualities that are very attractive and softened his heart toward her.

Footnotes:
[I] 2 Sam DAVID RETURNS TO JERUSALEM: (v9-42)
32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man.
 
[II] Luke 14 JESUS AT A PHARISEE’S HOUSE:
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Kindness bringing out kindness: (2 verses)
1 Sam 15 The Lord Rejects Saul as King: (v1-35)
5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

#   Like David’s encouragement to Solomon, Saul remembered his history and sought to repay the kindness given his ancestors such a long time ago.

2 Sam 2 David Anointed King Over Judah: (v1-7)
4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.

When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The Lord bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him.
6 May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

Seeking opportunities to express God’s kindness:
2 Sam 9 David and Mephibosheth
1 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
“At your service,” he replied.

3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked.

Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.

David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“At your service,” he replied.
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pg 8
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

#   Up to now in my verse references no one has mentioned God as being the reason for showing kindness to others. David recognized this as being a quality of God and acted.

A Closed Heart to kindness: (3 verses)
Job 6 Job’s Reply:
14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
<I think this is very similar to; If you hate your brother who you have seen, you can’t love God who you have not seen. 1 John 4:10-21(I)>

2 Sam 10 David Defeats the Ammonites: (v1-19)
1 In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king. 2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David’s men came to the land of the Ammonites, 3 the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Hasn’t David sent them to you only to explore the city and spy it out and overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away.

2 Chron 24 The Wickedness of Joash: (v17-27)
20 Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

21 But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. 22 King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.”

Responding to God’s Kindness: Closed Heart softened:
2 Chron 32 Hezekiah’s Pride, Success and Death: (v24-32)
24 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. 25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 6 Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.

FOOTNOTES:
[I] 1 John 4 GOD”S LOVE AND OURS: (v7-21)
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
 
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Pg 9
Examples: (3 verses)
Ps 141 of David:
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

#   I think it takes a mature person to recognize a kindness in harsh treatment.

Acts 4 Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin: (v1-22)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we (Peter and John) are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

#   This act of kindness was possible only because of Jesus. Therefore this kindness is one that comes from him through Peter and John.

Acts 27 Paul Sails for Rome: (v1-12)
3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius (Paul’s guard), in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.

#   I wonder what the relationship was like between Paul and Julius in the beginning of the journey and when did it start to change? I think likely it was lot less friendly. Early in the account of the trip shows the Romans not willing to listen to what Paul advised concerning the danger of the trip, but at some point Julius’ attitude changed and saw this kindness to Paul as being deserved.
   Grace has been extended by God to the sinful world because we do not deserve it>

Applications: (3 verses)
2 Cor 6:1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[Is 49:8]

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Cor 6 Paul’s Hardship: (v3-13)
3 We (Paul and group) put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
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Col 3 Living as Those Made Alive in Christ: (v1-17)
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another (Grace) if any of you has a grievance against someone. (then) Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

#   As God’s chosen people, made holy through Christ, because of his great love for us, we are called to a high standard, His. Clothe ourselves in the qualities of Jesus compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. These are the same qualities of the Holy Spirit given to each of us Gal 5: 22-23 (I)

Prayers: (5 verses)
Humble Prayer of Praise/Gratitude:
1 Kings 3 Solomon asks for Wisdom: (v1-15)
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Ruth 1 Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem: (v6-22)
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud

FOOTNOTES:
[I] Gal 5 LIVE BY THE SPIRIT: (v13-26)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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pg 11
Ruth 2 Ruth Meets Boaz in the Grain Field: (v1-23)
19 Her (Ruth’s) mother-in-law (Naomi) asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!”

Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.

20 “The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.”

2 Sam 22 David’s Song of Praise: (v1-51)
47 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!
48 He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me,
49 who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me.
50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.
51 “He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

Job 10 Job Replied: (v9:1-35 – 10:1-22)
8 “Your (God’s) hands shaped me (Job) and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me?
9 Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?
10 Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese,
11 clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews?
12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

#   Even though Job had experienced such great loss of all his children, his home and wealth and finally his health, he still recognizes God as the source of kindness in his life.

SUMMATION:
     It is God who always reaches out to a sinful rebellious world through his many acts of kindness. We as disciples were given the Holy spirit with not only the ability but the direction to imitate Christ by producing fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23 () But even before that we as humans have a great capacity to show kindness from an early age.

    While shopping I stopped and enjoyed watching a little boy about 2 happily help push the shopping cart. I am sure that he did not think what he was doing was an act of kindness, but something he enjoyed doing, being able to imitate what his mother was doing. As an adult expressing kindness is very often enjoyable, I often think I am receiving more out of being kind/helpful than the other person.
    This next paragraph is from Psychology Today which highlights the importance of kindness to us humans.
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pg 12
     You've heard about survival of the fittest and Darwin. Survival of the fittest is usually associated with selfishness, meaning that to survive (a basic instinct) means to look out for yourself. But Darwin, who studied human evolution, actually didn't see mankind as being biologically competitive and self-interested. Darwin believed that we are a profoundly social and caring species. He argued that sympathy and caring for others is instinctual (DiSalvo, Scientific American, 2017)
Current research supports this idea. Science has now shown that devoting resources to others, rather than having more and more for yourself, brings about lasting well-being. Kindness has been found by researchers to be the most important predictor of satisfaction and stability in a marriage. Many colleges, including Harvard, are now emphasizing kindness on applications for admission.

    There are different ways to practice kindness, however there does seem to be one essential to even start, having an outward focused heart.  
    If I want to show God’s kindness then I need be willing to include others into my circle of concerns and see them as deserving my concern and help just as Jesus did. Philipp 2:1-4 (I) the more I do this the larger my circle gets.
    This is a demonstration of treats of Christ which include “Spiritual Wisdom” James 3:13-17 (II) and the “Fruit of the Spirit” Gal 5:22-23 (III) The alternative this is to allow  “bitter envy”, “selfish ambition” to grow in my heart, James 3:14 If not dealt with then this could grow to  “acts of the flesh”  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies Gal 5:20-21

   Here are 4 parting verses to encourage you to find great examples of those who naturally show the kindness of God and imitate them.

Heb 6:12 Warning Against Falling Away: (v5:11-14 – 6:1-12)
12 We (Apostles) do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Heb 13 Concluding Exhortations: (v1-19)
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Heb 10 A Call to Persevere in Faith: (v19-39)
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he (God the Father) who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

3 John 1 The elder
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

FOOTNOTES:
[1] Philipp 2 Imitating Christ’s Humility: (v1-11)
Note: should read “Life Worthy of the Gospel” Philipp 1:27-30) for context
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
 
[II] James 3 TWO KINDS OF WISDOM: (v13-18)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
 
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
 
[III] Gal 5 LIFE BY THE SPIRIT: (v13-26)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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RELATED VERSES: (7 verses)
2 Tim 3 Dealing With False Teachers: (v2:14-26 – 3:1-9)
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Matt 24 The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times: (v1-35)
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

Matt 18 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: (v21-35)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matt 5 Love for Enemies: (v43-48)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor [Lev. 19:18] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, (then) what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, (then) what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matt 6 Prayer: (v5-15)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, (then) your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, (then) your Father will not forgive your sins.
<This is closer to grace than kindness>

Acts 17 In Athens: (v16-34)
26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ [Fm Cretan philosopher Epimenides] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ [Fm Cilician Stoic philosopher Aratus]

Eph 4 Instructions for Christian Living:
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

UNUSED VERSES:
Example:
Acts 28 Paul Ashore on Malta (after shipwreck):
1 Once safely on shore, we (the passengers) found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

Of God:
Gen 19 Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed:
19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.

Gen 24
12 Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13
14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

Gen 24
27 saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

Gen 24
49 Now if you () will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.”

Seeking Kindness:
Gen 47 Joseph and the Famine: (v13-31)
28 Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. 29 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,

2 Sam 15 David Flees: (v13-37)
20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”

1 Chron 19
2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David’s envoys came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him,

2 Chron 1
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.

Example:
Job 24 Job’s Reply
21 They () prey on the barren and childless woman, and to the widow they show no kindness.

Prayer:
Ps 109:12 May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.

Ps 109 of David:
16 For he (the wicked) never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.