Leo Tolstoy, the Russian writer, was walking along a street one day when he passed by a common beggar.  The man pleaded with Tolstoy for some money.  As the great writer searched his pockets for a coin, he said, “Please do not be angry with me, my brother, but I have nothing with me.  If I did I would gladly give it to you.”

     The beggar seemed stunned by the reply of Tolstoy, and humbly replied, “Dear sir, you have given me more than I could ask, for you have called me brother.”

     Christian Bovee said, “Kindness is a language the dumb can speak and the deaf can hear.”  It is also a language the sinner can understand.  Peter and John faced a similar situation in Acts 3.  They didn’t have a coin to give to the beggar, but what they had was the power of the Gospel.  They could have easily ignored the poor man’s plea, but in kindness and love they extended a hand of mercy.  When they touched his hand, they in essence, touched his heart.

     Sinners are more apt to hear the Gospel through the voice of kindness. We are not only instructed to lead men to Christ, we are called to love men to Christ. When you can’t give a coin, give something greater – compassion.