The kindness ninja
"But when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you." Matthew 6 : 3 - 4 (GNB) |
Our passage this week focuses on not only what you do but also why you are doing it. It looks at your motives for helping those who are in need. Some people make a big show of their generosity. They might invite the media and encourage the paparazzi to snap photos of their kind work for all to see. I am sure if you think back at television programs you have watched or newspapers you have read recently you will be able to think of examples like this.
Although their act of kindness is good and respectable, their motives are not. By making a show of their kindness for all to see they are hoping that others will notice how good they are and praise them for it. This passage and many others in the Bible warn against this type of thinking.
This isn't how God wants us to behave when we are compassionate and generous to people around us who are in need. Instead God wants us to be a 'kindness ninja' swooping in to help with love and care, and then sneaking off before anyone else sees.
Like regular ninjas a good kindness ninja will not be noticed by anyone else. The world will be blissfully unaware of your actions, and will continue as if nothing has happened. It will remain a secret between you and God.
God loves to reward those who are kind to strangers for no reason other than you care about them. He values your motives just as strongly as your actions. So next time you see someone in need, try and help them out, but do it quietly and without a fuss. Be the kindness ninja that God wants you to be. Have a great week.
This week's song is My Rock by Bluetree. |
Header image by: Zach Dischner via Flickr