In the picture we see ripe figs. Together with fresh water, I think that
they both are good for showing kindness to a starving person.
What the Bible teach us of kindness?
When we read the Tanakh (OT), we notice how important fresh water was for the Israelites and their cattle while wandering in the wilderness. Giving it to a thirsty person was a very kind act and could save a starving life!
Figs have also had a great symbolic meaning in relation to kindness. For example, during King David's time, figs were brought to his soldiers, and David himself gave a piece of bread, fig cake and fresh water to the starving Egyptian described in the picture above.
How important it is to be kind?
How do we learn to be kind?
We should deal with the problems of our neighbors as if they were our own. Then compassion and empathy awaken in our heart and we want to help them as much as we can. The Holy Spirit guides us to be kind even to our enemies, if only we keep our spiritual ears open.
How important it is to be kind?
It is very important especially in connection with the proclamation of the Salvation Message and helps the listener to receive it for the salvation of his soul. If the listener finds us nice and pleasant, it opens their heart to be receptive to our speech.
I remembered an incident when I worked as a design consultant at Volvo PV's Head Office in Gothenburg in 1985-90. One morning the Irish consultants organized a fun test for us. Everyone had to choose their favorite from the pre-printed texts on cardboard and keep it visible on their desk all week. They contained various aphorisms.
I replied to the guy: "Really? But hasn't he hired you too?" I couldn't hold back my laughter then. The boss in question was apparently listening to our conversation. When the guy noticed it, he immediately left me with shame on his face. Only after the guy left did I notice that the boss had perhaps listened to our conversation(?)
Kindness always pays off!
Related to the previous one, our group at Volvo PV consisted of very special people. Each of us was different and talented in our own way, whom our boss had deliberately chosen from the applicants to complement each other.
One was a smart Polish woman who was a staunch Roman Catholic. One young man had attended a Steiner school and had a good creative ability to invent something new. The best of us was unusually precise in the design work and, in addition, talented, hardworking and really exceptionally wise and empathetic!
Unfortunately, he was openly homosexual. Most of the team members looked at him with envy because the boss gave him the most prestigious jobs. I was not jealous, but showed him kindness instead. The precision work I got was enough for me and I was successful in it because I always prayed for help from above.
I didn't think it was right to start criticizing his gayness, because I knew that many people had drifted into that sin due to the combined effect of many different factors. That's why I showed him unconditional love as if I hadn't even noticed his gayness at all!
You see, I had a beautiful poster of a smiling baby boy sitting on a big sunflower with his arms outstretched towards the sky on the wall of the large landscape office, in my own workspace. Below the poster was the following text in Swedish and translated from it:
"But to all who have received him - those who believe in his name - he has given the right to become Elohim's children." John 1:12
After four and a half years, it happened that our boss was promoted to one of leaders of the most ambitious design project, and our new boss was a man from Saab Scania, Trollhättan. The new boss was openly hostile towards me and tried to remove me from the group in front of everyone.
What was extraordinary was that he said in front of everyone that he was unable to treat me kindly(?) Then I understood that the evil spirit in him caused him to behave like that and I saw that he was really ashamed of his behavior! I began to pray for his salvation at home and silently in my heart at work during coffee and lunch breaks.
What was extraordinary was that he said in front of everyone that he was unable to treat me kindly(?) Then I understood that the evil spirit in him caused him to behave like that and I saw that he was really ashamed of his behavior! I began to pray for his salvation at home and silently in my heart at work during coffee and lunch breaks.
When the aforementioned gay found out that I was the target of unwarranted hatred, he went to our previous manager and asked him to hire me as a consulting designer in that most sought-after group, where the latest Volvo passenger car model 850 was being designed. The boss gladly took me there and my working period there was one of the best in my entire working life!
The new boss was also very sick. His diabetes was already very advanced and he had to take an insulin spike in his arm several times a day. In the opinion of the team members, he was no longer physically healthy enough to function in the demanding task we were working on in the Quality and Development department. I hadn't talked to him about faith at all, because when he saw my poster above my desk, it was like a red garment to him. Holding posters was completely normal and allowed in the landscape office.
The new boss was also very sick. His diabetes was already very advanced and he had to take an insulin spike in his arm several times a day. In the opinion of the team members, he was no longer physically healthy enough to function in the demanding task we were working on in the Quality and Development department. I hadn't talked to him about faith at all, because when he saw my poster above my desk, it was like a red garment to him. Holding posters was completely normal and allowed in the landscape office.
So something had happened in the heart of that young gay man, because he showed me extraordinary kindness after the kindness he had received from me. I did hope and pray that Adonai Yeshua'll pay that him. Our boss kept in touch with me until his death. That is, about 25 years after the Holy Spirit had led me to a new job, in Finland.
Songs suitable for the topic
Prayer For A Friend
He Is The Great I AM
Make Me A Servant
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