Kindness is one of the most important virtues that we can cultivate in our lives. It is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate of others. Kindness can make a difference in the world, as it can inspire others to be kind as well.
But where can we learn about kindness? The Bible is One of the best sources of inspiration. The Bible is full of stories about kindness that can teach us how to be more kind and compassionate people. In today’s post, we will look at 10 specific Bible stories about kindness and see what lessons we can learn from them.
10 Short Bible Stories About Kindness
One of the best sources of inspiration and guidance for kindness is the Bible. The Bible is full of stories about kindness that can teach us how to be more kind and compassionate people.
Here are 10 specific Bible stories about kindness. For each story, we will include an image, a summary, some lessons learned, and a reflection on how we can apply the lessons to our own lives.
Let’s begin!
1. Abraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers into their home (Genesis 18)
Abraham and Sarah were a wealthy couple who lived in a tent. One day, three strangers came to their home and asked for food and water. Abraham and Sarah welcomed them in and gave them everything they needed.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Abraham and Sarah that kindness is about welcoming others into our lives and showing them hospitality. We never know who we might encounter or how they might bless us in return.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can welcome others into your life and show them hospitality. For example, you could invite someone over for dinner, or you could volunteer at a local soup kitchen.
2. Ruth caring for her mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 1)
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite man. After her husband died, she chose to remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, even though it was difficult. Ruth worked hard to provide for Naomi and took care of her with great love and compassion.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Ruth that kindness is about taking care of those we love, even when it is difficult. Ruth showed loyalty and devotion to Naomi, even when she had nothing to gain from it.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can take care of those you love. For example, you could cook dinner for a sick friend, or you could help your parents with chores around the house.
3. Jesus healing the sick and feeding the poor (Matthew 9, 14)
Jesus was known for his kindness and compassion. He healed the sick, fed the poor, and welcomed the marginalized. He showed mercy and grace to everyone he met, regardless of their race, religion, or social status.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Jesus that kindness is about helping those in need and showing compassion to everyone we meet. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can help those in need. For example, you could donate to a food bank, or you could volunteer your time to help a local homeless shelter.
4. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
The Good Samaritan was a man who saw a wounded traveler on the road. He stopped to help him, even though he was from a different ethnic group that was hated by the traveler’s people. He bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his expenses.
Lessons learned: We can learn from the Good Samaritan that kindness is about showing mercy to those who are different from us or who are our enemies. We should not judge people by their appearance or background, but by their needs.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can show mercy to those who are different from you or who are your enemies. For example, you could pray for them, or you could forgive them if they have wronged you.
5. Rahab hiding the Israelite spies (Joshua 2)
Rahab was a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. She hid two Israelite spies who came to scout the land. She lied to the king of Jericho and helped the spies escape. She did this because she believed in the God of Israel and wanted to be saved from the coming destruction.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Rahab that kindness is about risking our lives for others and trusting in God. Rahab showed courage and faith by protecting the spies and joining God’s people.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can risk your life for others and trust in God. For example, you could stand up for someone who is being bullied, or you could share the gospel with someone who does not know God.
6. Pharaoh’s daughter saving Moses (Exodus 2)
Pharaoh’s daughter was the princess of Egypt. She found a baby boy floating in a basket on the Nile river. She knew he was a Hebrew child, who was supposed to be killed by her father’s order. But she had pity on him and adopted him as her own son. She named him Moses, which means “drawn out of the water”.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Pharaoh’s daughter that kindness is about saving lives and defying evil. She showed compassion and courage by rescuing Moses and raising him as her own.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can save lives and defy evil. For example, you could support a pro-life organization, or you could speak out against injustice.
7. The woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ head (Matthew 26:6-13)
The woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ head was a woman who loved Jesus very much. She had an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she broke and poured on Jesus’ head as he was reclining at the table. Some of the disciples criticized her for wasting the perfume, but Jesus defended her and said she had done a beautiful thing.
Lessons learned: We can learn from the woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ head that kindness is about giving our best to God and honoring him. She showed devotion and gratitude by giving Jesus a lavish gift.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can give your best to God and honor him. For example, you could give generously to his work, or you could worship him with all your heart.
8. Cornelius and the centurion (Acts 10)
Cornelius and the centurion were two Roman soldiers who believed in God. Cornelius was a devout man who prayed regularly and gave alms to the poor. The centurion was a man who had faith in Jesus and asked him to heal his servant. Both of them received a visit from an angel or a vision from God, who told them to seek out Peter, the apostle.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Cornelius and the centurion that kindness is about seeking God and obeying him. They showed humility and reverence by following God’s instructions and listening to Peter’s message.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can seek God and obey him. For example, you could read his word daily, or you could follow his commands.
9. The early church sharing their possessions with one another (Acts 2:44-45)
The early church was a community of believers who shared everything they had with one another. They sold their property and possessions and gave to anyone who had need. They also met together daily in the temple courts and in their homes, breaking bread and praising God.
Lessons learned: We can learn from the early church that kindness is about sharing our resources and fellowship with one another. They showed generosity and unity by living as one family in Christ.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can share your resources and fellowship with one another. For example, you could join a small group, or you could give to a charity.
10. Paul’s kindness and compassion for others (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
Paul was an apostle who suffered a lot of hardship and persecution for the sake of the gospel. He was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and stoned. Yet, he never gave up on his mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. He also showed great kindness and compassion for others, especially those who were suffering.
Lessons learned: We can learn from Paul that kindness is about comforting and encouraging others who are in trouble. He shared his own experience of God’s comfort and grace with others, and he prayed for them and wrote them letters of love and hope.
Reflection: Think about ways that you can comfort and encourage others who are in trouble. For example, you could send them a card, or you could visit them and pray with them.
Final Thoughts
The Bible is full of stories about kindness that can teach us how to be more kind and compassionate people. We can learn from the examples of Abraham and Sarah, Ruth, Jesus, the Good Samaritan, Rahab, Pharaoh’s daughter, the woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ head, Cornelius and the centurion, the early church, and Paul. They all showed kindness in different ways, but they all had one thing in common: they loved God and loved their neighbors as themselves.
Let us follow their footsteps and be kind to everyone we meet, regardless of their race, religion, or social status. Kindness can make the world a better place, and it can also bring us great joy and satisfaction. As the Bible says in Proverbs 11:17: “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”