SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS FOR THE COMMON GOOD: IT’S GRACIOUS TO WILL AND PERFORM THE KINDLY WILL!
“. . . 22 And it came to pass, that the BEGGAR DIED, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: THE RICH MAN ALSO DIED, and was buried. . .” Luke 16:19-31.
And as the beggars died, so the rich man died also in the scripture context of Luke 16:19-31. Endeavour to read it in full to understand the context appropriately. And neither the beggar nor the rich took anything along while being buried. The rich man couldn’t used his wealth to buy himself from death, because death is inevitable to all; that’s while your goodness today, should speaks for you while alive, not in terms of pity to the have not, but with a sense of being intentional and pragmatic in response to show and live with every given opportunity, the good hearted and spirited act of kindness to others as opportunely shows up before you.
“Even those who TRUST in and RELY on their WEALTH And BOAST of the ABUNDANCE of their RICHES? 7 None of them can by any means REDEEM [either HIMSELF or] HIS BROTHER, Nor give to God a RANSOM for him— 8 For the RANSOM of his soul is too COSTLY, And he should CEASE trying forever— 9 So that he should LIVE on ETERNALLY, That he should never see the PIT (GRAVE) and undergo decay.” Psalms 49:6-9/Amplified.
The rich man had every opportunity to show kindness to the have not beggar, not out of pity but out of care, he never did, because he was full of himself. That’s the symptoms of the rich outside Christ Jesus [Luke 18:18-27; 1 Timothy 6:3-6, 9-10; Luke 12:13-21], and what the arrogant and proudly do, as a means to subjugate and control others. The simple spirit, of the little act of kindness was foreign to him. And like the poor needy beggar, he died leaving everything behind him. That’s the most pathetic life to live, when you have an opportunity to be of a great help to the actual needy one, not the entitlement, lazy and slothful and sluggard one’s I mean.
“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the COMMON GOOD; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in KITCHEN and WORKPLACE and on the STREETS” Hebrews 13:16/Message Bible.
The scriptures enjoin us to help for the common good of all, so that there’s no lacking in our midst. Indicating that we should all bear our own burden firstly, but also be ready to bear each other burden, because having today does necessitates that you will always have all the way. And that’s while, when it’s within you, show the simple hearts of kindness, peradventure if you are not in places of having enough the good measures of the good hearted spirit may be shown to you in the grace. Showing simple hearts of kindness must not be done out of pity but out of care.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are SPIRITUAL [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to RESTORE such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 CARRY ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love] . . . 5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his OWN BURDEN [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible] . . .10 So then, while we [as individual believers] have the OPPORTUNITY, let us do GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH (born-again believers)” Galatians 6:1-10/Amplified.
The simple hearts of kindness, sometimes it’s not just about monetary matters always, it could be visitations, rendering business ideas, physical manpower helps, counselling, creating job opportunities for others with your lots instead of storing and hoarding, helping the lonely in bereavement, the abandoned child or children and ophans, empowering the have not for a starts up, intercessory praying along for someone else comforts, helping hands to the elderly, widows and widower’s and many such like. The Scriptures calls it pure [unadulterated] religion.
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren). 27 PURE and UNBLEMISHED religion [as it is expressed in OUTWARD ACTS] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to VISIT and LOOK AFTER the fatherless and the widows in their DISTRESS, and to keep oneself UNCONTAMINATED by the [secular] world” James 1:26-27/Amplified.
It’s of good spirit to be willing to care. The scriptures enjoin that we do all we can to ensure [perform] it. You don’t have to start big or wish big to make significance. A heart of faithfulness in good will starts up will lead to greater heights in an onward and upward trajectory in the path of goodness to the fellow man. You can make that your willingness becomes a performance today to fulfill the scripture as written:
“Now therefore PERFORM the doing of it; that as there was a READINESS TO WILL, so there may be a PERFORMANCE also out of that which ye have” 2 Corinthians 8:11.
I learned to give as God provides in His providence, not because I have it accumulated somewhere, but because I know exactly how it is and feels to have nothing. Do you feel same way or you are off the same attitude of the rich man who wasn’t there to help the beggar in need by his opportunity to help.
It’s my earnest PRAYERS today that you have a changed hearts to be a vessel of use to show a simple hearted spirit of kindness to those about you without waiting for a special asking when you can see through such need and you are capable to fill the vacuum and help, not out of pity but out of care, and without sentiments, prejudice and dissimulation.
Be blessed in the grace as you make yourself available towards the good and goodness of others irrespective.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the COMMON GOOD; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in KITCHEN and WORKPLACE and on the STREETS” Hebrews 13:16/Message Bible.
“Now therefore PERFORM the doing of it; that as there was a READINESS TO WILL, so there may be a PERFORMANCE also out of that which ye have” 2 Corinthians 8:11.
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the BEGGAR DIED, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the RICH MAN ALSO DIED, and was BURIED; 23 and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” Luke 16:19-31.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
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