An elderly man was hired to sweep streets in a small town many years ago. Once a week he came by with his brush, sweeping all of the dirt and trash that people had left behind. He was a very friendly man and a lady who lived on one of the streets got into the habit of taking him a glass of lemonade and a slice of cake during the summer. He always made a point to thank her, but said nothing more. But then one evening she heard a knock at her door. When she went to the door, he was standing there with a sack of peaches in one hand, and several ears of sweet corn in the other. He seemed embarrassed as he said, “I brought you these, Ma’am, because you have been so nice to me.” The lady replied, “Oh you shouldn’t have bothered, it was nothing.” Then the street sweeper replied, “Well, it’s more than anyone else did for me.”
Most people wouldn’t give a second thought about an elderly man out sweeping the streets. In fact, a lot of people would look down there nose at him doing such menial work. Just the act of this kind lady bringing him something to brighten his day made a huge impact on him.
Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 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, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'” (Matthew 25:34-40)
The Bible tells us to love even our enemies and to do good even to those who do evil to us. Yet, in today’s world, it’s all about ME, MYSELF, and I. But – WAIT A MINUTE! We’re NOT supposed to live like the world! We’re supposed to be DIFFERENT than the world!!! What opportunities do we take on a daily basis to help others? To make a difference in people’s lives? And to show the amazing love of God to others through our actions?
Kindness to a true Christian should be second nature. We should always be seeking opportunities to help others and to love others, especially fellow believers in Jesus Christ.