We hear it all the time:
“Be kind. You never know who someone might become tomorrow.”
At first glance, it sounds like wise advice. After all, life is unpredictable – just like those Nollywood movies, the gateman might one day be the CEO, the stranger on the bus could become your divine helper. So, be nice because you never know how it might benefit you later.
But here’s the thing:
That kind of kindness is still a form of calculation.
It quietly implies that people need to earn our kindness, or at least deserve it based on some unknown future return on investment.
But what if we shifted the mindset?
Don’t be kind because no one knows tomorrow.
Be kind because it is good to be kind.
Kindness should never be a backup plan or a networking tactic. A life of kindness is not MMM or CBEX, where you are trying cashout before it crashes. It should be a reflection of our values, not our expectations.
Being kind because it’s good to be kind means you show respect to people with no titles, no influence, no visible “leverage,” simply because everyone deserves dignity.
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
The story is told of Father Abraham, who once welcomed three strangers into his home. He would later realize these visitors were no ordinary men, but spiritual beings on a divine mission. For Abraham, this was likely nothing new. He may have made a habit of showing kindness to travelers over the years. Even his wife Sarah didn’t protest; she was probably used to him inviting strangers in, and offering them Jollof rice/Pounded Yam (not semo). But this time was different. This encounter didn’t just bless their home, it marked a turning point that led to Abraham becoming the father of nations.
And perhaps there’s no better time to reflect on that than Easter.
Easter is the story of grace freely given, of love poured out without condition. It reminds us of Jesus Christ dying for the sins of the entire world because of love.
So this Easter, let’s not be kind because we expect something in return.
Let’s be kind because we’ve seen what love without strings looks like—and we want to pass it on.
Happy Good Friday!
Have an amazing weekend ahead!
1 thought on “From Strangers to Angels: Why Kindness Still Matters”
This is such a beautiful teaching. Thank you so much Dr for this one.
A perfect teaching for good Friday