有兩個好朋友在電子產品專賣店選購筆記型電腦，恰巧遇見NBA傳奇球星歐尼爾（Shaquille ONeal）。他們知道歐尼爾不久前剛失去了妹妹及一位前隊友，就由衷地向他表示哀悼。過後，當兩人繼續選購電腦的時候，沒想到歐尼爾走近他們，讓他們挑選店裡最好的筆記型電腦，並為他們支付這筆款項。原因很簡單，因他們不只將歐尼爾視為球星，還看到他正在經歷傷痛，他們仁慈的行為讓歐尼爾深受感動。

在此事發生的千百年前，以色列王所羅門寫道：「仁慈的人自己獲益」（箴言11章17節，新譯本）。當我們考慮到別人的需要，並且盡力幫助和鼓勵對方時，自己也會得到回報。這回報也許不是筆記型電腦或其他物質上的東西，但上帝能以這世界無法衡量的方式賜福我們。正如所羅門說：「賢德的婦女得著尊榮，強暴的男子只得著財富。」（16節，同上）。上帝所賜的福分遠比金錢更寶貴，祂還會以祂完美的智慧和方式，慷慨賜予這些福分。

仁慈和慷慨都是上帝的特質，祂喜愛看到我們的內心和生命展露出這兩種品格。所羅門做了很好的總結：「施惠於人的，自己也必蒙施惠。」（25節，同上）

Two friends were shopping for a laptop in an electronics store when they ran into basketball great Shaquille O’Neal. Aware that O’Neal recently suffered the loss of his sister and a former teammate, they empathetically offered their condolences. After the two men returned to their shopping, Shaq approached them and told them to pick out the nicest laptop they could find. He then bought it for them, simply because they saw him as a person going through a difficult time and was moved by their kindness.

Millennia before that encounter, Solomon wrote, “Those who are kind benefit themselves” (Proverbs 11:17). When we consider others’ needs and do what we can to help and encourage them, we’re rewarded ourselves. It may not be with a laptop or material things, but God has ways of blessing us that this world can’t measure. As Solomon explained just one verse earlier in the same chapter, “A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth” (v. 16). There are gifts from God that are worth far more than money, and He measures them generously in His perfect wisdom and way.

Kindness and generosity are part of God’s character, and He loves to see them expressed in our own hearts and lives. Solomon summed up the matter well: “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (v. 25).