It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Proverbs 14:21

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During an in-service day as a middle school teacher in the city of Elgin, a gentleman spoke to us about students learning English as a second language. He described an assignment in which they were asked to write about their weekend. He projected onto the screen one handwritten response, “We go to beech. Water was wet.” Next, he told us that he asked the class to write the same story in their first language. The student who wrote two curt sentences in English wrote a full page in Spanish. The presenter verbally translated, “The golden morning sun glistened off the delicate ripples as the waves gently kissed the sand…” You get the idea. I was flabbergasted. 

When I read “kind to the needy” in today’s Scripture verse, financial needs first come to mind, but this verse could really apply to emotional, relational, physical, educational, or spiritual needs. The best way to not “despise” someone is to understand them. Through understanding, we begin to empathize, and it’s easier to be kind to someone in need. 

The brilliance of this student was camouflaged by a language barrier. The exercise opened my eyes to see his immigrant journey more clearly and, therefore, not judge his intelligence or another’s by their vocabulary. Through understanding, my empathy grew. 

Later, having grown in this understanding, I could relate better to my language partner from Myanmar. Through a non-profit that helps refugees, I was paired with a woman who wanted to improve her English by way of conversation. I learned a lot about her life in Myanmar, including that she grew up without electricity in a one-room dirt floor abode. Now, she could use a computer to sign her children up for park district classes. She can read and write in both languages, and considering the written forms of Burmese and English are completely different characters, I find her quite impressive! Her lack of knowledge should never be confused with her raw intelligence. Getting to know her was an honor. 

Part of the human condition is to make assumptions, but when we push them aside and seek to understand, we grow in understanding and empathy. Jesus broke through assumptions and died for every individual. Certainly, it is easy enough for me to take a few minutes to learn their story. Once I am cognizant of their struggle, it’s effortless to be kind.

Next Steps

Perhaps you can be introspective and honestly assess who you see as inferior. Is there a people group not even on your radar? Pray for an opportunity to grow in kindness, and God will put some folks in your path. When He does, see the person first by listening. Then kindness will bloom.