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Acts 9:36 (New International Version)
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas),
who was always doing good and helping the poor.”
The Acts of the Apostles, p. 131
“At Joppa, which was near Lydda, there lived a woman named Dorcas, whose good
deeds had made her greatly beloved. She was a worthy disciple of Jesus, and her
life was filled with acts of kindness. She knew who needed comfortable clothing and
who needed sympathy, and she freely ministered to the poor and the sorrowful.
Her skillful fingers were more active than her tongue.”
Matthew 6:1-4 (Amplified Bible)
“Take care not to do your good deeds publicly or before men, in order to be seen
by them; otherwise you will have no reward reserved for and awaiting you with and
from your Father Who is in heaven. Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not
blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets
like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I
tell you, they have their reward in full already. But when you give to charity, do not
let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your deeds of charity
may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
DO KINDNESS
At the Website for the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a person named
Cheryl reported the following incident:
“An amazing gift of kindness was given to my young sons (who were 1 and 4 years
old at the time) and me as we traveled by plane from Baltimore to Boston in March
of 2001. After driving around to find parking for an hour, we boarded the parking
lot bus—tired, with tons of bags, and worried we would miss our flight.
“An amazing young woman sitting near us saw the struggles we were about to have
getting from the bus, through the airport, and on our plane, and offered to go along
with us for help since her flight wasn’t leaving for several hours. She then
proceeded to help me carry bags, manage a cart, help us through security checks,
etc.—all with a sense of humor and lightness that helped me feel less stressed, and
I know the boys felt better having some help!
“She was an angel sent at the perfect moment. I hope she somehow will know how
Sabbath Afternoon | Today’s Reading
Random Acts of Kindness| Lesson 11 | September 15, 2012
Do Kindness
much I appreciated her help, and her selfless act of kindness!”
Another person, Kelly, submitted this story:
“Last week a . . . truck driver came to deliver some food to my elderly
grandparents. The employee noticed through the window that my grandfather was
out mowing his lawn with his push lawnmower.
“He told my grandma it was way too hot and humid to be out there mowing. My
grandma agreed but said grandpa is too stubborn to stop.
“So out went the . . . man, grabbed the mower, and finished mowing the lawn.”
1. Is it ever difficult to do “random acts of kindness”? Explain your answer.
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2. Why is it important to keep your kindness a secret?
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3. Should everyone do acts of kindness, or are there some people that are
better at finding ways to be kind and helpful to others?
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4. In the two stories from the ROAK Website, what was remembered about the
acts of kindness that were performed? What wasn’t remembered?
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Matthew 25:31-46 (Contemporary English Version)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his
royal throne. The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will
Sunday | Today’s Reading
separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats. He will place
the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on
his right, ‘My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was
prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me
something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I
was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to
wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited
me.’ Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, ‘When did we give you
something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you
clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?’ The king will answer,
‘Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they
seemed, you did it for me.’ Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Get away
from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the
devil and his angels! I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I
was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, but you
did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to
wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.’ Then the people will
ask, ‘Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a
stranger or naked or sick or in jail?’ The king will say to them, ‘Whenever you failed
to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to
do it for me.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Those people will be punished forever. But the ones
who pleased God will have eternal life.’”
HERE’S WHAT I THINK
Paul has been a Christian all his life. Ever since he can remember, he has been
involved in church activities. Lately he has been feeling bored and a little
disenchanted with the whole “church experience.” When he heard about Random
Acts of Kindness, he wanted to try it out. He shared the idea with his friends, but
there didn’t seem to be much energy there. “How do you get something like this
going?” he asks. “It is so hard to motivate people to try something new.”
What would you suggest? What is the best way to spread the kindness movement?
Is he on his own, or should he find a partner? How do you think RAOK might affect
his church if it were to catch on?
Go to http://guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your answers. Your thoughts and
feelings may seem clearer to you when you write them down, so we’ve provided
space for you here as well. You may also wish to share them with your class later.
Be up-front and honest.
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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 79, 80
“The words of Christ on the mount were an expression of that which had been the
unspoken teaching of His life, but which the people had failed to comprehend. They
could not understand how, having such great power, He neglected to use it in
securing what they regarded as the chief good. Their spirit and motives and
methods were the opposite of His. While they claimed to be very jealous for the
honor of the law, self-glory was the real object which they sought; and Christ would
make it manifest to them that the lover of self is a transgressor of the law.
“But the principles cherished by the Pharisees are such as are characteristic of
humanity in all ages. The spirit of Pharisaism is the spirit of human nature; and as
the Saviour showed the contrast between His own spirit and methods and those of
the rabbis, His teaching is equally applicable to the people of all time.
“In the days of Christ the Pharisees were continually trying to earn the favor of
Heaven in order to secure the worldly honor and prosperity which they regarded as
the reward of virtue. At the same time they paraded their acts of charity before the
people in order to attract their attention and gain a reputation for sanctity.
“Jesus rebuked their ostentation, declaring that God does not recognize such
service and that the flattery and admiration of the people, which they so eagerly
sought, was the only reward they would ever receive.
"‘When thou doest alms,’ He said, ‘let not thy left hand know what thy right hand
doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret
Himself shall reward thee openly.’
“In these words Jesus did not teach that acts of kindness should always be kept
secret. Paul the apostle, writing by the Holy Spirit, did not conceal the generous
self-sacrifice of the Macedonian Christians, but told of the grace that Christ had
wrought in them, and thus others were imbued with the same spirit. He also wrote
to the church at Corinth and said, ‘Your zeal hath stirred up very many.’ 2
Corinthians 9:2, R.V.
“Christ's own words make His meaning plain, that in acts of charity the aim should
Monday | Today’s Reading
not be to secure praise and honor from men. Real godliness never prompts an
effort at display. Those who desire words of praise and flattery, and feed upon
them as a sweet morsel, are Christians in name only.
“By their good works, Christ's followers are to bring glory, not to themselves, but to
Him through whose grace and power they have wrought. It is through the Holy
Spirit that every good work is accomplished, and the Spirit is given to glorify, not
the receiver, but the Giver. When the light of Christ is shining in the soul, the lips
will be filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. Your prayers, your performance
of duty, your benevolence, your self-denial, will not be the theme of your thought
or conversation. Jesus will be magnified, self will be hidden, and Christ will appear
as all in all.”
1. Find the definition of “godliness” in a dictionary.
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2. From the reading and the definition, try to explain in your own words what
real godliness is.
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Hebrews 13:1, 2 (Amplified Bible)
“Let love for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never
let it fail]. Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in
the brotherhood—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your
home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels
without knowing it.”
Random Acts of Kindness from the Bible
Complete the puzzle using the clues shown below. Then, below on the puzzle, write
the person’s name and what he or she did that was kind.
Across
2. I was hated among the Jews, but I stopped to save a life anyway (Luke 10:30-
37).
4. Someone I didn't know asked me for a drink of water and I gave water to him
and all 10 of his camels (Genesis 24:10-21).
6. She was a disciple who always did good to others (Acts 9:36).
7. You are looking for my master’s name; I was his wife’s maid. I helped save my
master’s life (2 Kings 5:2).
8. Andrew asked me to share my lunch (John 6:9, KJV).
Down
1. My dad wanted to kill my best friend (1 Samuel 18:3, 4).
3. I took food to an army of men (1 Samuel 25:18, 19).
5. Jesus cast demons out of me more than once. I loved Him very much (John
12:3).
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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 81
Tuesday | Today’s Reading
“We are to give in sincerity, not to make a show of our good deeds, but from pity
and love to the suffering ones. Sincerity of purpose, real kindness of heart, is the
motive that Heaven values. The soul that is sincere in its love, wholehearted in its
devotion, God regards as more precious than the golden wedge of Ophir.
“We are not to think of reward, but of service; yet kindness shown in this spirit will
not fail of its recompense. ‘Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward
thee openly.’
“While it is true that God Himself is the great Reward, that embraces every other,
the soul receives and enjoys Him only as it becomes assimilated to Him in
character. Only like can appreciate like. It is as we give ourselves to God for the
service of humanity that He gives Himself to us.
“No one can give place in his own heart and life for the stream of God's blessing to
flow to others, without receiving in himself a rich reward. The hillsides and plains
that furnish a channel for the mountain streams to reach the sea suffer no loss
thereby. That which they give is repaid a hundredfold. For the stream that goes
singing on its way leaves behind its gift of verdure and fruitfulness. The grass on its
banks is a fresher green, the trees have a richer verdure, the flowers are more
abundant. When the earth lies bare and brown under the summer's parching heat,
a line of verdure marks the river's course; and the plain that opened her bosom to
bear the mountain's treasure to the sea is clothed with freshness and beauty, a
witness to the recompense that God's grace imparts to all who give themselves as
a channel for its outflow to the world.”
1. Search “the golden wedge of Ophir” on the Internet.
2. What are your feelings after you have helped a family member finish a
chore?
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God’s Amazing Grace, p. 337
“The grace of Christ in the soul is developing traits of character that are the
opposite of selfishness—traits that will refine, ennoble, and enrich the life. Acts of
kindness performed in secret will bind hearts together, and will draw them closer to
the heart of Him from whom every generous impulse springs. The little attentions,
the small acts of love and self-sacrifice, that flow out from the life as quietly as the
fragrance from a flower—these constitute no small share of the blessings and
happiness of life. And it will be found at last that the denial of self for the good and
happiness of others, however humble and uncommended here, is recognized in
heaven as a token of our union with Him, the King of glory, who was rich, yet for
our sake became poor.”
Fill in the blanks from the New International Version of the Bible,
using Biblegateway.com.
1. “A _______ man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself”
(Proverbs 11:17).
2. “An _______ heart weighs a man down, but a ________ word cheers him
up” (Proverbs 12:25)
3. “He who despises his __________________ sins, but ________ is he who is
kind to the _______________” (Proverbs 14:21).
4. “He who ___________ the poor shows ____________ for their Maker, but
whoever is kind to the __________honors God” (Proverbs 14:31).
5. “He who is _________ to the ___________ lends to the Lord, and he will
reward him for what he has done” (Proverbs 19:17).
6. “Love is _________, love is ___________, it does not _______. It does not
______________, it is not ______________” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV).
7. “Make sure that ____________ pays back wrong for wrong, but always try
to be _____________ to each other and to everyone else” (1 Thessalonians
5:15).
8. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
________________; and to _______________, ______________; and to
______________, ________________________; and to
_______________, ____________________________: and to
_____________________, __________________; and to
___________________, brotherly ____________; and to brotherly
_______________, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing
Wednesday | Today’s Reading
measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1: 5-8).
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 82
“This is the blessing of those who show mercy to the poor. The prophet Isaiah says,
‘Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast
out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou
hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the
morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily. . . . And the Lord shall guide
thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought: . . . and thou shalt be like a
watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’ Isaiah 58:7-11.
“The work of beneficence is twice blessed. While he that gives to the needy blesses
others, he himself is blessed in a still greater degree. The grace of Christ in the soul
is developing traits of character that are the opposite of selfishness,—traits that will
refine, ennoble, and enrich the life. Acts of kindness performed in secret will bind
hearts together, and will draw them closer to the heart of Him from whom every
generous impulse springs. The little attentions, the small acts of love and self-
sacrifice, that flow out from the life as quietly as the fragrance from a flower—these
constitute no small share of the blessings and happiness of life. And it will be found
at last that the denial of self for the good and happiness of others, however humble
and uncommended here, is recognized in heaven as the token of our union with
Him, the King of glory, who was rich, yet for our sake became poor.
“The deeds of kindness may have been done in secret, but the result upon the
character of the doer cannot be hidden. If we work with wholehearted interest as a
follower of Christ, the heart will be in close sympathy with God, and the Spirit of
God, moving upon our spirit, will call forth the sacred harmonies of the soul in
answer to the divine touch.
“He who gives increased talents to those who have made a wise improvement of
the gifts entrusted to them is pleased to acknowledge the service of His believing
people in the Beloved, through whose grace and strength they have wrought. Those
who have sought for the development and perfection of Christian character by
exercising their faculties in good works, will, in the world to come, reap that which
they have sown. The work begun upon earth will reach its consummation in that
higher and holier life to endure throughout eternity.”
1. Highlight the passage starting with “Acts of kindness performed” and ending
with happiness of life.”
2. Start a list of little things you could do for your family, your friends, or other
Thursday | Today’s Reading
people.
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Ellen G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, November 23, 1899
“The parable [Matthew 25:14-30] presents a truth which all should understand.
God has not distributed his talents capriciously. To every man are given abilities
which will fit him for the work he is called to do. To one are committed five talents;
to another, two; to another, one: and each is accountable to God for his gifts. A
time is coming when Christ will require his own with usury. He will say to each of
his stewards, ‘Give an account of thy stewardship.’ Those who have hid their Lord's
money in the earth, in worldly investments, instead of putting it out to the
exchangers, to increase by use; and those who have squandered his money by
expending it for needless things, instead of investing it in his cause, will receive the
condemnation of the Master. Not only will they lose the talent lent them by God,
but they will lose eternal life. The command will be given: ‘Take therefore the talent
from him . . . and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ The faithful servant, who invests his talent in
the cause of God, who uses his money to the glory of God, will receive the
commendation, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord.’ What will be this joy of the Lord?—It will be the joy of seeing souls
saved in the kingdom of God. Those who are faithful stewards are partners with
Christ, who, ‘for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’”
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?
“Well done!” It is one of the most heartwarming phrases that two ears have ever
heard. It was spoken of Jesus after He had paid the highest cost of setting us free
at Calvary. “Father, forgive them” is the most precious of them all. What about the
promise “You will be with Me in Paradise”? That’s a beauty! When the weight of sin
finally crushed the heart of Christ on the cross He cried, “My God, My God, Why
have you forsaken Me?”
These are the biggest little statements in history, and they depict the very heart of
God for people. You can pack a lot of love in little statements. Those little
statements are lifeless without the actions behind them. What we can be sure of is
this: God loved people so much that He wasn’t content to just tell them. He was
determined to show them His love. Now the same Godlike joy waits for you to
experience as you share kindness with others. You could just tell them about God.
But it might be more believable if you showed them.
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 83
“The deeds of kindness may have been done in secret, but the result upon the
character of the doer cannot be hidden. If we work with wholehearted interest as a
follower of Christ, the heart will be in close sympathy with God, and the Spirit of
God, moving upon our spirit, will call forth the sacred harmonies of the soul in
answer to the divine touch.
“He who gives increased talents to those who have made a wise improvement of
the gifts entrusted to them is pleased to acknowledge the service of His believing
people in the Beloved, through whose grace and strength they have wrought. Those
who have sought for the development and perfection of Christian character by
exercising their faculties in good works, will, in the world to come, reap that which
they have sown. The work begun upon earth will reach its consummation in that
higher and holier life to endure throughout eternity.
"‘When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are.’ Matthew 6:5.
“The Pharisees had stated hours for prayer; and when, as often came to pass, they
were abroad at the appointed time, they would pause wherever they might be—
perhaps in the street or the market place, amid the hurrying throngs of men—and
there in a loud voice rehearse their formal prayers. Such worship, offered merely
for self-glorification, called forth unsparing rebuke from Jesus. He did not, however,
discountenance public prayer, for He Himself prayed with His disciples and in the
presence of the multitude. But He teaches that private prayer is not to be made
public. In secret devotion our prayers are to reach the ears of none but the prayer-
hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions.”
In Heavenly Places, p. 230
“We must forget self in loving service for others. . . . We may not remember some
act of kindness which we do, it may fade from our memory; but eternity will bring
out in all its brightness every act done for the salvation of souls, every word spoken
for the comfort of God's children; and these deeds done for Christ's sake will be a
part of our joy through all eternity.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The key to developing RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) as a way of life for you and
your friends is a three-part process. We have to be kindheaded, kindhanded, and
kindhearted. Sometimes it works in that order. Often, showing kindness to
someone you don’t like is a sheer act of will based on the knowledge (kindheaded)
that Jesus loves them. But claim the power of God’s grace and just do something
Friday | Today’s Reading
kind for them (kindhanded). While you may not have an overnight change of heart,
over time you will change. You will experience a different kind of love (God’s agape
love) and you will never be the same (kindhearted). Think of people you have a
hard time extending kindness to. You don’t have to start there, but doing Random
Acts of Kindness is about being ready for anything. After practicing a few RAOK,
take a few minutes and reflect on the experience and what you learned from it.
Kindheaded
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Kindhearted
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Kindhanded
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Bible texts credited to Amplified are from The Amplified Bible, Old Testament copyright 1965, 1987 by
Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright 1958, 1987 by The Lockman
Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations identified CEV are from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright American
Bible Society 1991, 1995. Used by permission.
Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984,
2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
