Love is Kind

You may have seen Daniel Lubetzky on Shark Tank, introduced as the founder and CEO of KIND.

You’ve probably seen KIND bars in the snack aisle at the grocery store.

But did you know the story behind KIND?

Lubetzky is the son of a Holocaust survivor. He grew up hearing stories from his father about the horrors of the concentration camps. However, one particular story remained etched in his mind.

One day, a German guard was walking past the prisoners. He saw the starving young Lubetzky and took pity on him. Looking around to be sure no one saw him, he tossed him a potato to eat.

Daniel’s father never forgot that moment. Even in the darkest of times, he witnessed a spark of human kindness.

Determined to honor his father’s memory, Daniel Lubetzky founded KIND and sought to build a company culture centered on kindness. The company motto is, DO THE KIND THING.

The company’s core values regarding its employees are to provide feedback in a productive way, not a personal way; to look for ways to best use the talents of struggling employees instead of simply firing them; to employ empathy as a business skill and view others through an empathetic lens; and for everyone to pitch in, get their hands dirty, and remember that no one is too important to do the little things.

That simple act of compassion reminds us of one of the greatest descriptions of love ever written. In the third phrase of Paul’s famous chapter on love, he simply says, “Love is kind.”

Daniel Lubetzky’s company culture of kindness should be shared by all Christians in every relationship—in the home, in their community, in the local church, and in their business or workplace.

The English word rendered kind means “actively benevolent, useful, gracious in action.” The third-century Bible scholar Origen suggested this means that love is “sweet to all.” The Bible translator Jerome called it “the benignity of love.”

William Barclay sadly observed, “So much Christianity is good but unkind.” Unfortunately, his observation still rings true today.

I’m reminded of the little girl saying her evening prayers and offering this request: “Lord, help the bad people to be good, and the good people to be nice.”

Good people—God’s people—need to be reminded to be nice. Love is kind. One writer opined that “kindness is love with sleeves rolled up.” Indeed, it’s an attitude manifested in action.

Jesus never viewed kindness as weakness. Whether touching a leper, welcoming little children, or forgiving sinners, His kindness revealed the very heart of God.

Christians ought to be known for their kindness. The fruit of the Spirit is kindness (Gal. 5:22). Among the virtues maturing disciples are to add is “brotherly kindness.” Then Paul issued this simple command: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

Kind people do not…

…shout ugly epithets or scream obscenities at those they love.
…run roughshod over other people’s feelings.
…ignore the needs of family, friends, and fellow Christians.
…belittle or ridicule their spouse or children.
…harbor resentment or bitterness toward others.
…hold grudges over supposed slights.
…think they’re better than others.
…criticize with sarcasm.
…force their opinions on others.
…allow envy, jealousy, greed, or selfishness to rule their hearts.

Kindness is heard in the words of praise and encouragement that a sister shares with a fellow Christian.

Kindness is seeing someone sitting alone at church, warmly welcoming them, and then sitting beside them.

Kindness is being a helpful neighbor—from mowing a widow’s lawn to taking groceries to a shut-in.

Kindness may be something as simple as holding a door open at a store for a woman whose hands are full.

Indeed, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” wrote the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop.

The humorous Mark Twain said it well: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if becoming kinder were as easy as eating a KIND bar?

Unfortunately, kindness isn’t found in a snack. It is cultivated as we fill our hearts with God’s love, follow the example of Jesus, and intentionally choose each day to treat others with grace.

As one anonymous writer wisely observed, “In a world where you can be anything—be kind.”

Today, look for one opportunity to do the kind thing. After all, love doesn’t merely feel—it acts. And love is kind.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman