This Proverb caught my attention because it links an attribute of God’s character with a principle of His kingdom. It is an interesting relationship to consider. In Matthew 5:45, it is noted that “God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” Benevolence is defined as “the quality of being well meaning” and it is extended to everyone. Furthermore, God’s benevolence, expressed in a context of kind and amicable action, is offered with the purest of motive and primarily seeks only the benefit of those to whom it is directed.
It has always been God’s expressed desire to channel His blessing through mankind to His creation. As the Author and Sustainer of life, He desires that we experience abundance in the simplest of terms and in the purest sense. Personally, I have experienced God’s blessing most keenly as I have tried to reflect His impartial Love through random acts of kindness.
A witness that channels God’s blessing, reflects reciprocity, which also is a foundational, core value of God’s kingdom. It is defined as “the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.” Consider this quote from the Desire of Ages, page 20, “There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself. No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing to the world. The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring forth and bud.”
In Ephesians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul encourages us to intentionally choose to lives lives for the betterment of others as we submit to the revealed and known will of God. I quote, “”You should no longer live as the gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them because of the hardness of their hearts (vs 17,18). Paul continues… “that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by evil desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of truth”(vs 20-24).
So, for each of us to consider the kindness of God and to reflect it to others would certainly make this world a better place and allow us to best experience the reality of His care and leading. Jesus encourages this lifestyle of submission to His will in this manner. “Do unto others as you would have them do onto you”(Luke 6:31). Clearly, the golden rule enriches everyone’s life and brings glory to God. I can’t think of better principles to guide my life. Benevolence and reciprocity, the cycle of goodness that lives to bless others is as easy as offering courtesy and kindness to each other. May the Lord’s goodness be present in your life today as you intentionally reach out in kindness to those around you. And just wait to see, how God’s goodness returns to you in ways that will strengthen your relationship with others and with Him.