Small Acts of Loving Kindness

December 4   Small Acts of Loving Kindness  Luke 16:10

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10)

I grew up in an environment of “helping your neighbor,” and that early training has served me well, throughout my life.  Occasionally, we all wonder, if our efforts are making a difference. It is easy to grow discouraged thinking that our acts of kindness are insignificant. Many of us suffer from depression because we do not get a sense of the significance from our lives.  Making a difference in the lives of others is not by accident, it is a conscious decision.  Paul once wrote to the Galatians, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:9-10)  God can do a lot with a little. A little is a lot with God. Jesus fed five thousand people with five small barley loaves and two small fish. Little becomes much when we place it in the Master’s hand.  The Lord is able to take the seeds of small acts of love, faith and truth telling and multiply them significantly. Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20) Faith helps us see how God can use small faith to accomplish much for His purposes. Do not underestimate the power of a little act of faith to move away huge obstacles to progress.  If we fail to be trustworthy in showing love, kindness and service in little opportunities, we will not be given greater responsibilities in the future. Whoever serves God and does good, with the little time, talents and resources they have, will be entrusted with more blessings. The person who hides their talents, resources or service abilities will never improve and will grow stagnant. How can we expect God to enrich us with more, if we do not serve him with what He has already given? One man put it best, “Use it or lose it.”  Plant seeds of kindness, truth and love where you ever you go. Give people hope that their lives are getting better in the Lord and it will buoys their outlook on a whole range of issues. Allow the Lord to use your seeds to expand His kingdom and righteousness. The work of grace is always small in the beginning, but it becomes great in the end. The seeds of the gospel may appear to be insignificant but will bring a harvest of righteousness. The Psalmist wrote, “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (Psa. 126:6)  Do not wait until you think an act of kindness is significant before serving someone. Nobody is able to determine if his or her actions will make a great or small impact on another person. Prov. 21:31 says, “A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is in the hands of the Lord.” Let God use you in great ways, but realize He is the one who gives ultimate success, fruit and blessings. If you wait until you are asked to do something great, you might never be given these lofty opportunities. Be faithful in little things and God will make you faithful over much. (Luke 16:10) You may not think you are accomplishing a whole lot today, but be like a farmer, and realize that seeds planted today will yield a thirty, sixty and hundred fold harvest as God blesses.  This day, this hour, the world needs to know about the Love of God!  How are these “Lost” folks going to know without God’s people telling the Good News and Living it before them?  Be a “Spreader of Random Acts of Kindness and Love,” and watch what happens!  Please focus on the Real, Just, Noble and Loving Grace of God and do not be consumed by the Chaos and Confusion and Hatred of this world!  Make a DIFFERENCE, one SOUL at a TIME!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY YET TO BE!!!