8/27/16

Reaping the rewards of Kindness

I saw a tweet today that made me do a double take, it reminded of an old saying, "God helps those who help themselves" which is not explicitly in the Bible but could be argued as a summary of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), in other words - God provides the talents and we put them to work according to our ability. I looked up Proverbs 11:17 and found some helpful context.
My favorite exposition of the Gospel is in Titus 3:3-7, "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

 God's Loving Kindness towards us is mercy

  • God shows the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us (Eph 2:7)
  • The Psalmist counts precious, good is his loving-kindness, great is His compassion (Psalm 36:7; 69:16). God wondrously shows His lovingkindness to all who take refuge at His right hand (Psalm 17:7), He makes marvelous His lovingkindness (Psalm 31:21)
  • Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. (Psalm 63:3)

Our reward is extending this kindness to others

  • Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy - Matthew 5:7
  • After the parable of the talent Jesus talks about the reaping of eternal rewards for extending the kindness he shows to us, when we show it to other people (Matthew 25:31-46)
    • Lovingkindness manifest itself in feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the sick and imprisoned. 

Matthew 25:40,  ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Proverbs 11:17
Loving Kindness Of God
God helps those who help themselves - is it in the Bible?
Why does Scripture emphasize the right hand of God?
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