The rewards of Divine Contributions 

What is the cost of kindness? What do you incur when kindness is asked of you? And what is the price of withholding compassion?

As Christians, we understand that kindness, even when it is costly, carries divine reward. Whether it is a dollar given or a moment shared, it is an act of love —a divine contribution to entering God’s kingdom.

Kindness is one of the greatest outward expressions we can offer others, but it often comes with sacrifices – time, emotional energy, comfort, and pride. Our greatest example of kindness is Jesus, who exemplified kindness through healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and giving his life for the salvation of others. When we swallow our pride, step outside our comfort zones, and use our time to perform acts of kindness for the least of those in society, the ungrateful and the malicious, it is a great act that serves Jesus. In Luke 6:35, it says, “but love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

In the grand scheme of things, the mundane cost of kindness cannot compare to the eternal impact. A meal for the hungry, forgiveness for the perpetrator, or patience for the anxious are all divine contributions towards the Kingdom of Heaven. Proverbs 11:25 states, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” As we continue to be kind and generous with our time, our money, and our emotions, our souls will be rewarded not only on Earth but also in Heaven.

It is often said that kindness is a weakness; keep your heart closed, because others will take advantage of you. When we show kindness, God sees it as a good thing. ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life’ (Matthew 25:45-46).

Instead of asking, “What is the cost of kindness?” the question should be “How much is a soul worth?”