Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

In a 2003 study of 37 cultures around the world, 16,000 subjects were asked about their most desired traits in a spouse. For men and women, the first preference was kindness, which is defined as friendly, generous, and considerate.

My wife and I recently watched a movie where two wartime prisoners were talking about trying to escape. One of the guys said that he did not want the other prisoner’s help because he was “too kind.” He feared that the potential success of their escape could be hindered because his partner would “make a decision based on kindness.”

It has been said that in sports nice guys finish last. I would challenge that. The scoreboard may have little to do with who God judges to be winning and losing. When competing, we should prepare well and play hard according to the rules and ethics of our sport — while leaving the results in the hands of The One who always judges rightly. Prayerfully seek to play with kindness and our good and all-knowing God will bless us with all the victories He knows that we need.

Imagine a person in your sport being more friendly, generous, and considerate to teammates/training partners as well as coaches, officials, opponents, and spectators. You would immediately see something different about a person who trained and competed in this way. An act of kindness rarely seen on the playing field is something that costs us nothing. Let’s be the change we want to see in our sport. The fruit will be greater than just the kindness you display; it may lead others to seek a closer relationship with Jesus.

The Lord says in Jeremiah 31:3, I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. How great would it be for God to use your kindness to draw people to Himself?

Training Exercise

1. In what specific ways can you show Kindness to the various people you encounter in your sport?
2. In Luke 6:35, Jesus commands us to love our enemies, expecting nothing in return, because “the Most High God showed kindness to unthankful and evil people.” Jesus did not ask us to do anything He was not willing to do Himself. He showed Kindness though he was humiliated, tortured, and crucified.
   How might people in your sport take advantage of the kindness you show to them? Thinking through these possibilities ahead of time will help you make better decisions for Christ because you have already established the importance of the decision you’re making.
3. How might God use your continued kindness to impact others, even when you are not being treated fairly or kindly in return?