If You Are Kind

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 8-10; Acts 5:1-16


2 Chronicles 10:7 And they spoke to him, saying, "If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever."

The people came to the new king and complained that his father had put too much of a burden on them and that they wanted relief. Unsure of what to do the new king asked his advisers for advice. He asked the older men who had served his father what they would do and then he asked the young men he grew up with what they would do. In the end he chose to reject the wisdom of the elders and he followed the advice of his young friends. It turned out to be a big mistake that resulted in a revolt and a divided kingdom.

The advice o the elders was to show the people kindness and empathize with their pain and had he followed their advice there wouldn't have been a revolt and the kingdom would have remained unified. There's something to be said for listening to the right advice. Usually we get in trouble because we when we ask for advice we are really looking for someone to affirm what we already think rather than an independent voice that helps clarify our thinking. So when we're really seeking to know the truth it's important for us to set aside our preconceived notions and listen.