Chapter 24

Good intentions can be misunderstood, taken for granted, and even get one into trouble. Some beneficiaries may perceive the acts of kindness as an entitlement. However we must not stop doing good and helping others to the best of our ability. Kindness makes the brain to light up and will be rewarded with greater kindness.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

The teaching of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is that you should always show kindness and compassion not only to your immediate neighbors and family, but to all those who are in need

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12-14

“So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’” Genesis 45:4-11.

Porcius Festus succeeded Marcus Antonius Felix as Governor and gave Paul the option of going to Jerusalem to have his case heard by the Sanhedrin. Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen, and appealed to Rome to stand trial for allegedly profaning the Temple.

“But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.” Acts of the Apostles 25:25

There is no better example about self-sacrifice and helping those in need than Jesus Himself. As an infant, His life was threatened by King Herod the Great. As a young man He was persecuted for preaching the word of God, love, kindness, and compassion. False charges were brought against him by the chief priests and the scribes, and the Sanhedrin who wanted him dead. Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great) found no wrong doing, and sent Him back to Pontius Pilate, who in turn did not find him guilty. Jesus willingly suffered and died on the cross so that our sins may be forgiven.

Pontius Pilate called the chief priests, the rulers and the people to announce his verdict. “A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.” Luke 23:22-25.