Daily Thought for Friday, September 16th

September 16, 2011

The Philosophical Faults

With the Concept of

‘A Random Act of Kindness’

from a Spiritual Point of View

Today’s Thought:

“Let us be kinder to one another.”  – Aldous Huxley (his last words)

Today’s Quote:

“You can not do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today’s Question

“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”  –   Jean Jacques Rousseau

 

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Matthew 7:12 & Luke 6:28-31

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.” – William Penn

 

“No act of kindness is ever wasted, no matter how small.”  –   Aesop

None of us would probably argue that a ‘Random Act of Kindness’ is a good thing.   Especially if you have watched ‘Pay It Forward’, the film in which Trevor, played by Hailey Joel Osment performs a ‘random act of kindness’ for a stranger whose only obligation is to ‘pay it forward.’

We are also, if we have ever attended Sunday School, as a child, familiar with the parable of  ‘The Good Samaritan’ found in Luke, chapter ten of the Bible. Here Jesus was teaching a lawyer a lesson.  The principle being anyone in need is your neighbor and you should be kind to him or her whenever you can.  “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” – The Bible (Luke 10:36-37)

But philosophically speaking, from a Christian point of view, the concept of performing a ‘Random Act of Kindness’ does not measure up to the requirements of Jesus teaching.  We need to be performing ‘Perpetual Acts of Kindness’ everywhere we go and to everyone we meet.

Remember this, “Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.” – Samuel Johnson 

William Wordsworth said, “The best portion of a good man’s life – his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”

A ‘Random Act of Kindness’ is never a bad thing, but as Children of the King we should aim at a higher goal and our objective should be to engage in a lifestyle that is governed by ‘Perpetual Acts of Kindness’ that testify to God’s love and the hope that we have in Him.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, make me a blessing by allowing me many opportunities to bestow acts of kindness to demonstrate your love.