Proverbs 11:17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
The wisdom of Proverbs is unlike any other book of the Bible, giving us short snippets of insight like we see in today’s verse. Most of the statements contrast the wise with the fool. But in this verse we don’t see that comparison being made. Instead, we see the kind person compared with the cruel.
We are told that those who are kind bring blessings upon themselves. They are the ones to benefit from kind actions towards others. Conversely, the cruel person does not experience any positive results because their actions are ones that bring nothing good, only ruin.
Kindness is a core virtue that we should be expressing. Doing so will bring blessings to the giver (to us) as well as to others who are the recipients of our actions. Our actions are choices we make to act in a manner that is positive and full of love and compassion. They are behaviors we choose to engage in and when we do so, we experience blessings on a personal level, as well as bless others with our kind deeds.
Some of the benefits we will experience when we act in kindness include joy, peace, and honor to the giver. Kindness fosters strong relationships and draws us nearer to God, winning His approval, while also leading us to experience a richer life and deeper spiritual growth. Kindness reflects God’s own nature (that of love and never-ending mercy) and draws others to Him.
Compare all of that to the actions of one who is cruel, uncaring, and self-centered. When a person chooses to respond in a negative way or in a way that only benefits themselves, they forfeit the blessings God bestows upon us. Instead, they bring about their own destruction, or as the verse puts it, ruin.
Don’t be selfish and respond in a negative manner. Imitate God and love others, as Christ has loved us. Choose kindness, not cruelty. Then you will experience all the blessings He has prepared for you and will be filled with joy that is truly immeasurable.
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