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Covert Operations
See Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 80.
- Highlight the paragraph that begins, “When thou doest alms . . .”
- Underline the sentence that starts, “In these words Jesus did not . . .”
- Underline the sentence that starts, “It is through the Holy Spirit that . . .”
Matthew 6:2-4 (CEV)
“When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven.
“When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn. That's what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward.
“When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”
Covert Operations
Once upon a time there lived an artist named Herkomer, who was born in the Black Forest in Europe. While Herkomer was a gifted artist, his father was only a simple woodchopper. As Herkomer’s fame spread he moved to London and continued to work. And he soon sent for his father to join him. His father was so proud of the gifted artist his son had become. Jokingly he would often attribute his son’s success to a genetic trait.
The old man would try to make artifacts out of clay, and while they were often quite good, they were not the quality of his son’s work. Still, the father and son worked together and made a good living as artisans in the London area. As time went on, the old man’s abilities decreased, and the quality of his work diminished. Sometimes it was clear on his face how disappointed he was in himself and in the quality of his work.
Herkomer felt sad about his aged father’s condition and would often notice the flaws in his handiwork and want to do something to help him. So when his father would go upstairs to bed, Herkomer would stay up late and begin his covert operations. He would shape and fashion the artifacts that had defects until they were perfect. He would then smile as he retired, knowing that the next day his father would hear the people remark about the quality of his work. And when people did comment, the unsuspecting old man would beam with a sense of value. Herkomer knew that his father’s dignity and pride were all that he had in his old age, and he wouldn’t allow those to be taken away.
- Why was it important for Herkomer to keep a secret of what he was doing for his father?
- How was what Herkomer did at night “doing kindness”? (Please explain)
- Would Jesus do that for you?
See Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 81.
- Underline the two sentences that begin with, “Sincerity of purpose . . . ”
- Highlight the paragraph that contains the statement, “That which they give is repaid a hundredfold.”
James 2:14-17 (NIV) :
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Here’s What I Think
Brenda secretly made a plate of cookies for a man who lived on her street. He seemed old and lonely; she thought that knowing someone cared might cheer him up. She left the plate on his doorstep with a note of encouragement and left quietly. The next day she received a small loaf of freshly baked bread on her porch with a note. She thought, He must have seen me leave the cookies, and now he knows it was me. Then she read the bottom of the note, which said, “P.S. I saw how kind you were to that man and just wanted you to know that it made an impact on me. But I’m not telling you who I am either.” The secrecy continued around the neighborhood.
Which is more important, the secrecy or the act of kindness? Which part of the experience has an impact on the giver? Which has an impact on the receiver? What is the kindest thing someone has done for you as a secret? How did it make you feel not knowing who it was?
Log on to www.guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your responses. Be up-front and honest. Say what you think. The lines below are provided as an alternative to posting. You may also wish to share your thoughts with your class later.
The puzzles provide some statements that help us learn more about being kind.
Psalm 139:1-3 (NIV)
Decode the message by finding each substitute letter or symbol. 
Luke 10:25-37 (The Message):
“Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. ‘Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?’
“He answered, ‘What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?’
“He said, ‘That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.’
‘Good answer!’ said Jesus. ‘Do it and you'll live.’
“Looking for a loophole, he asked, ‘And just how would you define “neighbor”?’
“Jesus answered by telling a story. ‘There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
‘A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.”
‘What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?’
‘The one who treated him kindly,’ the religion scholar responded.
“Jesus said, ‘Go and do the same.’
“Christ has linked His interest with that of humanity, and He asks us to become one with Him for the saving of humanity. ‘Freely ye have received,’ He says, ‘freely give.’ Matthew 10:8. Sin is the greatest of all evils, and it is ours to pity and help the sinner. There are many who err, and who feel their shame and their folly. They are hungry for words of encouragement. They look upon their mistakes and errors, until they are driven almost to desperation. These souls we are not to neglect. If we are Christians, we shall not pass by on the other side, keeping as far as possible from the very ones who most need our help. When we see human beings in distress, whether through affliction or through sin, we shall never say, This does not concern me.
‘Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.’ Galations 6:1. By faith and prayer press back the power of the enemy. Speak words of faith and courage that will be as a healing balsam to the bruised and wounded one. Many, many, have fainted and become discouraged in the great struggle of life, when one word of kindly cheer would have strengthened them to overcome. Never should we pass by one suffering soul without seeking to impart to him of the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God” (The Desire of Ages, pp. 504, 505).
So What?
Treating others with kindness, with no strings attached—God does this all the time. And He wants us to respond to others the same way, not simply for some special outcome we hope for, but because it’s the way of His kingdom. It’s the way He works. And the more God gets into people, the more people get into the lifestyle of the King.
You have a couple of options; join the crowd and be preoccupied with how everything affects you, or give secret kindness a chance to shape the way you live every week. Make no mistake—it is not easy to live this way. You will need to focus and follow through. Most good intentions are still waiting to become actions. But the whole idea is exercise, spiritual discipline.
Those who want to run the marathon have to train. Training in the spiritual life is not much different. Look out for and be wary of the signs that say “Spiritual growth in a few easy steps.” It’s a lie! In many closets are dozens of exercise gimmicks and tricks that offered to make life change easy. God never claims that this disciplined kingdom way of life is easy. But He promises, on His honor, that it is full. He guarantees that your life will be exciting. But, it does take exercise. So take the tiny steps today to follow through on an act of secret goodness, and see for yourself how much it costs and how much it is worth to you. You will be back for more.
- We are all very busy. Busy with school and work and life. Why would God ask us to sometimes go out of our way to be kind to others when He knows that we are so very busy?
- What does kindness have to do with heaven and what God wants for our lives?
- We are all very busy. Busy with school and work and life. Why would God ask us to sometimes go out of our way to be kind to others when He knows that we are so very busy?
- Is being kind always an easy thing to do?
- We are all very busy. Busy with school and work and life. Why would God ask us to sometimes go out of our way to be kind to others when He knows that we are so very busy?
- Should all of us strive to be kind and make a plan to do so? Please explain.
- We are all very busy. Busy with school and work and life. Why would God ask us to sometimes go out of our way to be kind to others when He knows that we are so very busy?
Look up the following texts and fill in the blanks. When you have finished this activity choose a text that you like and memorize it. Please share it with your class later.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV): “I the Lord ____________ the heart and __________ the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his ___________ deserve.”
- Proverbs 21:14 (TLB): “An ________ man is silenced by _________ him a ____________.!”
- Colossians 3:23, 24 (CEV): “Do your work _______, as though you were serving the _______________himself, and not your earthly ___________. In fact, the Lord Christ is the __________ you are really serving, and you ______ that he will _____ you.”
- Acts 2:44, 45 (NIV): “All the believers were ___________ and had everything in common. Selling their __________ and _____________, they gave to anyone as ____ had need.”
See Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp.82, 83.
- Highlight the sentence that states, “Acts of kindness performed in secret will bind hearts together . . .”
- Underline the sentence that states, “The little attentions, the small acts of love and self-sacrifice . . .”
- Highlight the paragraph that begins, “The deeds of kindness may have been done in secret . . .”
- Name some of the gifts God has given you.
- What are some ways you could show kindness to others? (What’s your plan?)
- When you’re trying to show kindness to someone, what is most important to remember, to keep it a secret, or just do good for someone?
- Why is it suggested that we “do good” in secret?
- Where does our goodness come from?
- Where can we look for ideas to “do good”?
What Does This Have to Do With Me?
God has many gifts to give you—love of family members, success, even a few moments of sadness to remind you of a better world coming. When we give gifts of unselfish service to others, we get a “sneak peek” into how God must feel when He gives to us. Selflessness is God’s outstanding characteristic, and it draws others to Christ. But how can anyone get a glimpse of God’s selflessness other than through us, His children? Think about it.
Actually, most people have already thought about it. Go beyond thinking about it.
Try it.
See Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing pp. 80-83.
Read this passage and make sure that you understand all that you have read. If there is a passage you don’t understand, please underline it and ask someone to explain it too you.
How Does It Work?
The work of secret goodness is up to you. The whole experience is a serious spiritual muscle builder. It is essential to thoughtfully plan acts of kindness this week. Start with one or two that are manageable. It is also extremely important to be open to spontaneous opportunities that spring up around you throughout the week.
The checkpoints for planned kindness are the same ones to use for more spontaneous acts of kindness. You may want to plan out a grace-giving moment this week and also be open for one that just pops up.
Below is a series of questions to help you. Reflect and write out your experiences this week, and feel free to share them in the online forum at www.guidemagazine.org/rtf.
Think About This
Who is someone who has a need?
What can you do to give grace away with not strings attached?
How can you eliminate being recognized as the source of help?