Not One Kind Worxd

Not One Kind Word

Now Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day he gave Joseph a special gift—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because of their father’s partiality. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. (Genesis 37:3-4 NLT)

“Not one kind word!” Can you imagine an individual who wouldn’t say even one kind word to someone? I can understand sibling rivalry, but how can you go through your daily activities and not say one kind word? How does one react when he comes in contact with the other person? Does he scowl at them? Are nasty words thrown their way? What a terrible way to live one’s life; yet that’s the feeling I get when I read of the actions of Joseph’s brothers.

   Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones that acted in such a manner. Take for instance the actions of Cain whose sacrificial offering was rejected by God, and killed his brother in a fit of rage. Then there was Esau who lost both his birthright and blessings to his brother Jacob and said, “When my father dies I am going to kill my brother Jacob.” King Saul became jealous of David and tried on more than one occasion to kill him with a spear. He even turned against his own son Jonathan because Jonathan loved David. He certainly didn’t have any kind words to say to David. The children of Israel didn’t have any kind words to say to Moses during the wilderness wanderings, and wanted to kill him and go back to Egypt.

   A number of years ago I knew two brothers who worked together at the Shell station on Ashby road in St. Ann and they never talked to each other. What brought that on I do not know, but whatever it was it resulted in a deep bitterness between them. Their attitudes toward each other eventually affected customer relations and both of them had to quit their jobs.

   What a tragedy it would be to go through life without saying one kind word to someone! Jesus was persecuted, harassed, oppressed by religious leaders and yet he showed compassion and kindness. A ready smile will go a long ways in helping people see Jesus in you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to display a Jesus smile to every person I meet today.