Biblical Answer

Showing Kindness without Expecting Anything in Return

The Principle of Kindness

The Bible teaches us that kindness is a fundamental aspect of our character. Proverbs 3:3-4 says, "Let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. This is of course the very principle spelled out expressly in Proverbs 4:23: Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it are the issues of life." This principle emphasizes the importance of cultivating kindness in our hearts, not just for others, but for our own well-being.

The Dangers of Expectation

When we show kindness to others with the expectation of receiving something in return, we can become like the Pharisees who "love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (Matthew 6:5). Jesus warns us against this kind of behavior, encouraging us to "let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that you may not be practicing your righteousness before men to be seen by them; otherwise, you will have no reward with your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 6:3-4). When we show kindness without expecting anything in return, we demonstrate a genuine love for others and a trust in God's sovereignty.

The Joy of Unconditional Love

When we choose to show kindness without expecting anything in return, we experience the joy of unconditional love. This is the kind of love that Jesus exemplified when He died on the cross for our sins, not expecting anything in return. As we reflect His love to others, we discover true happiness and fulfillment. As Proverbs 11:25 says, "A generous man will prosper; he who waters will himself be watered." When we show kindness to others, we are not only blessing them, but also experiencing the blessing of God in our own lives. By embracing this principle, we can cultivate a heart of kindness that overflows with love and compassion for those around us.