A Little Honey

A LITTLE HONEY

Genesis 43:11

(Gen 43:11 NIV)  Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift--a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

            Background: The words of Jacob to his sons when they were going down into Egypt to buy food.  Took many gifts—balm, spices, myrhh, nuts, and money—but wise old Jacob added—“take a little honey with you.”

            Honey is sweet, gentle, and kind and without those qualities no one can really succeed in this business of living.

            There are those who have taken with them on the journey of life—ability, talent, training, ambition, faith and so many good things—yet they failed because they forgot kindness.  If they had been a little sweeter, what a difference it would have made!

            I have talked to many couples whose homes have been miserable and their lives wrecked, simply because on their journey they forgot to “take a little honey” into their marriage.

            Three words you should never forget to say occasionally: Í LOVE YOU!”

            As I told someone recently, there are three sides to every question—not just two sides.  There is your side, my side, and the right side.  Too many times we are not interested in the right side, but our side and the other person is interested in their side.  The result is impasse and deadlock.  Deadlocks are only resolved by concession and expedience.

            The real issues are lost in manipulation and foolish scheming.  It’s like two little boys “I won’t let you use my ball unless you let me pitch.” You don’t always get the best pitcher.  Then each side begins to harbor grudges and resentment and resentment is like a volcano—it can smolder and someday erupt into a worse situation.

Too often:

            Even among Christians, a little honey is missing.

1.      150 years ago, there was a man who printed a bitter article, advocating that John Wesley be tarred and feathered.  Wesley was a great religious leader in his day.  Who was the man who wanted to do that?—August Top lady—the man who wrote the great hymn—“Rock of Ages.”  The only difference between them was a point of theology.

2.      One of the greatest lessons that we can learn in life is to be able to disagree without being disagreeable.  Simple, warm, kindness will work wonders.

“(Prov 15:1 NIV)  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

3.      Kindness works everywhere.  Years ago a man and his wife were visiting Philadelphia at a large convention.  They were looking for a room and came to this hotel and were told, “Everything is full.”  And so the manager told the couple, “I’ll give you my room.”  The next morning, the many sought out the young manager and said, “ I am going to build the greatest hotel ever built in America, and I want you to run it.”  Time went on and one day the clerk received a letter, inviting him to come to New York, that the Waldorf Astoria was ready.  The man who was befriended was Mr. Astor who built the Waldorf Astoria and the clerk was George C. Boldt, who managed it and became one of the greatest hotel men in America.

4.      Paul was not a sissy—he was a man among men—yet he did not forget to be kind. 

(Eph 4:31 NIV)  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

(Eph 4:32 NIV)  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

5.      Most people can say, “I never deliberately done an unkind act.”  Not many of us are deliberately unkind.  The unkindness of which most of us are guilty is unintentional.  We forget things we should remember—birthdays, anniversaries, etc.—We don’t weigh our words before we speak; we allow our moods to control our actions.

6.      Kindness is a positive thing.  It is something we must think about and cultivate.  But there is nothing that will open the doors of opportunity and win friends as quickly and effectively as kindness.

7.      There is the story of an old argument between the sun and wind about which was stronger.  They decided to settle it by seeing which could make the traveler take off his coat.  The wind blew with all its boasted power, but only succeeded in making him wrap his coat closer to himself.

a.       Then the sun quietly and gently sent its rays of warmth down, surrounding the traveler with them.  Soon his coat was off!

b.      Don’t forget to take a little honey with you!