The risk of being Kind

Read 1 Chronicles 19.

This is for everyone who ever had a kindness backfire on them.

When King David heard that a neighboring monarch had died, he sent a group of personal representatives with his condolences to the family.  His only intention was to "console" the son who would become the new leader of the Ammonites.  It was a kind gesture of a good neighbor.  Surely, this should have been a building block of relationship and peace between the two nations.

However, the new king of Ammon came under the influence of the other princes.  They could only see David’s response as a spy mission.  Believing this to be a threat from the powerful king of Israel, they humiliated the very ones sent to show kindness.  One foolish decision followed another as they prepared for war.  The Ammonites hired surrounding armies to fight for them.  Israel fought for themselves, depending on the LORD for the outcome of this unprovoked war.  The cost to the Syrians alone was 7,000 chariots and 40,000 foot soldiers killed.

1. Sometimes one's best intentions and motives may be misunderstood.

2. Hurting people hurt people.

3. Evil eyes only see evil in every act of others.

4. Personal sin blocks people from accepting the pure motives of others, resulting in behaviors of anger, criticism, and distrust.

5. Insecure people see kindness as a weakness and react by trying to seize control.

Run the risk of being kind anyway!  There is One is heaven who sees our hearts and knows our true motives.  He is the rewarder of those who do the right thing.