What are the bible proverbs about kindness? Find out in this article with commentary on each verse.
Introduction
Kindness comes from the heart. It is compassion, mercy, selflessness and unconditional. Being kind becomes the character of a person. No one is born kind, but you have to practice kindness. A kind person cares about other people’s well-being. A kind person is friendly and gentle.
7 Bible proverbs about kindness
Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Kindness benefits the one who exercises it. This is the opposite of how we see things. We think that the one who is receiving the kind act is the one benefiting. It turns out that the person who shows kindness benefits as well. It’s a win-win situation. For the cruel man, the same principle applies. In being cruel to others, you are being cruel to yourself, bringing curses to yourself.
Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Anxiety is tied to feelings. You can find yourself in a situation where you become fearful, restless, and doubtful about the future. A person suffering from anxiety can easily become depressed. The writer of Proverbs points out how powerful a kind word is. It can motivate and uplift a person who has been knocked down by life. A kind word cheers up a person, it gladdens the heart. Kind words build up.
Proverbs 14:21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
The previous verse speaks about the poor being shunned by their neighbours. Proverbs 14:21 continues on the same issue. If your neighbour is poor, do not despise him, instead be kind. There are blessings that come to those who are kind to the poor. The poor are close to God’s heart and when you show kindness to the poor, God honours that with blessings. It is easy to snub the poor and stay away from them. That way, we avoid getting involved in their issues. God wants us to get involved in their issues and help them.
Proverbs 14:31
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
This is a powerful proverb of kindness. Being kind is actually respecting God. Kind works, especially done to help the poor, are a high form of honouring and worshipping God. God has compassion for the poor and whoever helps the poor, He blesses them. Examples of kindness are giving blankets to the poor in winter, other people open soup kitchens. Often when we are content in our lives, we close our eyes and do not see the needy in our societies. We can change that by consciously looking for people in need that we can help.
Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
This is the only time in the Bible when God owes a human being. Only when kindness is shown by a human being to another that is when God is deeply moved. Someone who genuinely cares for the needs of the poor is a man after God’s heart. Whenever the Bible mentions kindness, it mentions the poor. This is an important issue and anyone who pays attention to this will find blessings.
Proverbs 21:21
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
A life of pursuing righteousness and kindness will yield glorious rewards. Kindness is the code of conduct approved by God. It is both an earthly and Heavenly code of conduct. Imagine a world where every man was kind to one another. The kindness of humanity has the power to eliminate all the evils that are done in this world (murder, human trafficking, rape, child labor). Kindness is gold.
Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
A tongue that speaks kindly to others is like the tongue of Jesus Christ that spoke of grace, mercy and love. There is power in kindness. Kindness is a law on its own. And once humanity yields to this law, then there can be world change. There cannot be change in an inconsiderate, cruel world. Kindness is the key to peace. Proverbs 31 speaks of the ultimate dream woman, and her kind words are a law giving guidance.
Conclusion
Kindness goes hand in hand with love. A cruel person does not know how to show kindness, but a person whose heart is full of love has kindness in him as part of his nature. God is love. That is why He responds to and blesses those who show kindness towards others. The Bible focuses on kindness amongst human beings. But, as the guardians of earth, showing kindness to all the animals that were created by God is godly. As humans, we are to be like God and show mercy and kindness to all of God’s creation.
