Benevolence is a concept that is often spoken about but seldom understood. The Bible is the source of some of the most profound and life-altering wisdom and teachings known to humanity and in it, benevolence holds an important place. So, what does benevolence mean in the Bible?
At its core, benevolence is a form of altruism, whereby someone acts with or from a selfless heart of concern or compassion for others. In the Bible, it is closely associated with both love and mercy. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul elaborates on the endless depths of love and writes of how it always desires the highest good for another. Putting it another way, love is willing to sacrifice a great deal to bring happiness and well-being to another person. This is what benevolence is too – a willingness of one person to sacrifice in order to help another.
The Bible has many powerful examples of individuals displaying benevolence. Moses departed from Egypt to serve the Lord, providing aid to the enslaved Isrealites, never expecting anything in return. In Luke 10:29-37, Jesus healed the wounds of an injured man who had been left on the road to Jericho, using a parable to explain what it means to extend kindness to those in need regardless of who they are. Even Abraham, known for his hard-headedness, exhibited benevolence in Genesis 14:17-20 by sparing the defeated kings from participating in a war that Abraham himself began.
Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This is an indispensable lesson found in the Bible that benevolence is part of one’s journey to self-enlightenment and discovery about the true nature of life. In Hebrews 13:2, we learn of how to “show hospitality to strangers” which can mean providing them with food and a place to stay, but also extends to providing emotional comfort and reassurance. Through acts of benevolent service, we come to understand that our lives are better shared with others, rather than lived alone on our own terms.
Benevolence is a core component of many of the world’s great religions. The moral compass of science, philosophy and technology cannot take us beyond a certain point, but our spiritual consciousness points the way to higher meanings and greater joys. According to the Bible, benevolence is more than a physical act; it is an act of the heart and an extension of the soul that reaches across all borders. It is a spiritual bond that transcends traditions and unites humanity with the divine power of love.
Awareness
Benevolence should be applied in our daily lives with not just the people we know and love, but those that we meet in our daily lives with whom we have no connection. All life has equal value and should be treated with respect. So, when we come across someone in need, whether it be a homebound elderly neighbor, a homeless person on the street, or someone facing financial challenged, there are always ways in which we can extend our assistance and show our mercy to others even if it means simply a smile. Whenever we offer assistance to others based on love, understanding and compassion, our spirit of charity and benevolence is reinforced and thus causes a ripple of positive energy to ripple through society.
As suggested in Proverbs 14:21, we should adopt a kind and loving attitude towards all people, regardless of their religion and social status. Bringing kindness and understanding to a situation is a powerful way to bridge understanding and finding common ground between two or more people. It also helps restore a sense of oneness and unity among us and is a critical aspect of many religious teachings.
The Bible shows us how we can extend mercy and charity to those around us regardless of our feelings about them and regardless of who we are. It is not enough to just recognize that everyone is valuable, but it is also important to demonstrate an attitude of benevolence and generosity that is universally respected. We can be the embodiment of this by striving to practice compassion and kindness in our day-to-day lives, no matter how they intersect with others. This is what benevolence means in the Bible.
Understanding
The Bible offers a powerful example of how we should act in our own lives and that of others. By putting the good of others ahead of our own needs, we demonstrate true benevolence. This is a core value for all believers and should be respected by everyone. We must strive to think not only of ourselves, but also of the well-being of our fellow man. This means understanding that we should go out of our way to help others and be willing to put in the extra effort whenever possible to help those in need.
A great example of true benevolence is the Good Samaritan story in the New Testament. Here, a man is injured and after being passed by three people who don’t help him, a Samaritan stops to care for him. In this story, Jesus is demonstrating that mercy and love should be extended to everyone, regardless of their faith, race or cultural differences. In the same way, we should strive to demonstrate mercy, understanding and love to everyone we come across in our lives.
Benevolence also means a willingness to forgive. We are all imperfect and will make mistakes. Even when we are wronged by someone, we should still seek to forgive them and help them learn from their errors. Forgiveness is a sign of true benevolence and is something that all believers should aspire to.
It is also important to strive to understand how our own actions or words might affect someone else. Our own words and behaviors can have an impact on those around us and can either be destructive or constructive. We should work hard to ensure that we always choose the latter.
Practice
The Bible teaches us that through a lifetime of practice and study, we can become more adept at benevolence and more skillful in showing mercy to others. True benevolence comes not through becoming a perfect person, but through learning how to be wise, humble and kind. As Christians, this means learning how to live a life with Jesus as the center, and striving to use our faith in a practical way in our daily lives.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that benevolence is a two-way street. It is not just about what we can do to help others, but also about how we can learn from them too. Acknowledging other people’s knowledge and viewpoints, even if we may not agree with them, is key to showing benevolence.
It is also important to recognize that benevolence is more than just an action; it is an attitude. It is an attitude of kindness, understanding, and respect. It is an attitude that puts others’ needs above our own and that seeks to understand rather than judge. Additionally, it is important to remember that benevolence is not just about what we say or do, but how we affect those around us. We should strive to be conscious of how our words and deeds may influence others and strive to make them count for something positive.
Examples
Examples of benevolence can be found throughout the Bible. King David was known for his self-sacrificing heart and willingness to serve the poor,, Jeremiah was known for his unwavering love of God and eagerness to help the oppressed, and Jesus was known for his selfless acts of healing, compassion, and understanding. These individuals are shining examples of what it means to be truly benevolent.
Those of us who seek to follow in their footsteps can also look to modern examples of benevolence. For example, Mahatma Gandhi, who led peaceful protests and campaigns to bring justice to all regardless of religious or ethnic differences, is an inspiration and example to us all. In the same way, there are thousands of people around the world who are working to relieve poverty, reduce suffering, and bring peace to their communities.
These are just a few examples of how benevolence can play out in our lives. Ultimately, the Bible teaches us that loving your neighbor is one of the most important responsibilities that we can fulfill. This is because when we show mercy to others, we are trading darkness for light and carrying out an act of real and lasting hope.
Purpose
The purpose of benevolence is to demonstrate God’s love to others and to reflect His character. We should strive to be a reflection of God’s loving nature and practice benevolence in all aspects of our lives. This means not only being willing to help those in need, but also to confidently offer our words, our prayers, and our presence to those who need it the most.
In the same way, we should seek to demonstrate mercy and compassion to all people and use our words to put an end to fear and hatred. This involves recognizing the sanctity of all life, understanding our shared humanity, and respecting each and every culture, religion, and worldview that we encounter.
The concept of benevolence is simple, yet profound. It is all about being willing to put the needs, interests, and well-being of others first. It requires a compassionate heart, a willingness to selflessly serve, and a desire to bring light, hope, and love to our global family. When we each demonstrate benevolence, we take a step towards creating a better, more unified world.
