I notice a lot of signage (mostly around coffee shops) encouraging me to be kind. It’s nice gesture, and I need a jolt of caffeine in the morning before I can consider the feelings of others. As the original source for those Be Kind posters, the Scriptures are filled with encouragements to care.

Jesus laid a provocative discourse before his disciples prior to his death. He described his final return—glorious, powerful and surrounded by angels. Seated on a throne, Jesus will judge every person from every nation, separating the sheep from the goats. The righteous (sheep) inherit the kingdom of God, while the wicked (goats) slide to eternal punishment. Notice the criteria Jesus uses to distinguish the two groups:

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

The primary attributes fencing sheep from goats revolve around how we treat other people. It’s not rocket science—feed those the hungry, give a cold drink to the thirsty, welcome a stranger, take care of the sick. Maybe visiting prisons is a stretch today, but Jesus speaks of everyday considerations, of noticing the people around you and stepping toward them. Faith in Jesus always manifests itself in kindness towards others.

I’m reminded of this quote from Middlemarch, a book by George Eliot: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

Simple kindnesses produce good in this world. I move closer to the kingdom of God when I ask a checker at the supermarket how their day is going, or when I offer water to the young men trimming my trees. I welcome a stranger when I say, I’m glad you’re here, to an international student or professor I meet on campus.

Kindness is underrated. Yet it’s something we can practice every day to make this world a better place, and ensure a spot with the sheep in the next.

Matthew 25:31-46

Photo by Randalyn Hill