Kindness, we all know goes a long way. It does a lot of good, not only to the recipients of the kindness, but also to those showing the kindness. You notice three things in the text in relation to kindness. The source of it, a tender heart; one example of it, extending forgiveness; the great models for it in the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are many forms of kindness that don’t even have to hit our pockets. Forgiveness is one example of that. Kindness is of two kinds; kindness that costs us something, and kindness that costs nothing. The great Augustine (354-430) spoke on this distinction.

“These are of two sorts of kindness: giving and forgiving, giving the good you have and forgiving the evil you suffer. These two sorts of kindness were described with a few words by the Lord, the good teacher, who shortened His words on the earth that they might be fruitful and not painful. Listen to what He commands: Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you (Luke 6:37-38). Forgive, and you will be forgiven refers to pardoning; give, and it will given to you refers to being generous. The kindness by which you forgive people costs you nothing. They ask your pardon straightaway, you grant it, and you lose nothing. You return home richer in charity. The other sort of kindness though, where we are told to spend money on the needy, seems difficult, because you'll no longer have what you give.”

Remember, however, that the forgiveness and pardon of our sins against God was costly. That was a kindness that was not free, for it cost the blood of His dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.