Biblical Answer

The best way to show kindness to those around us without expecting anything in return is to cultivate a humble and lowly heart. This means being kindly affected towards all people, not just those who are easy to get along with or who treat us kindly. As the Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." This means being mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions, and making sure they are in line with God's character.

One way to cultivate this kind of heart is to put on a friendly manner, even when we don't feel like it. This can be a challenge, especially when faced with difficult or unpleasant people. But as Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This means being intentional about showing kindness and compassion to others, even when it's hard. It also means being aware of our own faults and weaknesses, and being humble enough to ask for forgiveness and mercy when we need it.

In addition to cultivating a humble heart, we can also show kindness to others by being thankful and grateful for what we have and for the people in our lives. As Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This means recognizing that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God, and being grateful for the opportunity to live out our faith in the world. By showing kindness and compassion to others, we are reflecting the character of God and building relationships that are rooted in love and mutual respect.