BENEFICENCE
The practice of doing good; active goodness.
Next to justice, the most prominent virtue in the system of morality, is beneficence. Power makes us to be feared, riches to be flattered, learning to be admired; but beneficence renders us amiable and useful in the scale of society. Some qualifications are solitary, and centre mostly in ourselves; but this is social, diffusive, and kind. The objects of our beneficence are all those who are in the sphere of our influence and action, without respect to party or sect. Toward superiors, beneficence expresseth itself in respect, honour, submission, and service; toward inferiors, in liberality, condescension, protection, and support; toward equals, in all the offices of love their cases require, and which they have ability for. It includes all the kind exertions on the behalf of the poor, the sick, the fatherless, the widow, the distressed, &c. and especially those “who are of the household of faith, ” Gal 6:10. The means of beneficence are communication of temporal supplies, Gal 6:6; prayer, Jam 5:16; sympathy, Rom 12:15; appropriate advice and conversation, Col 3:16.
Obligations to beneficence arise from the law of nature, Act 17:26; the law of revelation, Heb 13:1-25 the relations we stand in to each other, Gal 6:1-2; the example of Christ and illustrious character, Act 10:38; the resemblance we herein bear to the best of Beings, Act 14:17; and the pleasure we receive and give in so noble an employ.
See BENEVOLENCE, CHARITY, LOVE.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
Beneficence
General references
Deu 15:7-15; Deu 15:18; Lev 25:35-43; Psa 41:1; Psa 112:9; Pro 3:27-28; Pro 11:25; Pro 22:9; Pro 25:21-22; Pro 28:27; Isa 58:6-7; Isa 58:10-11; Eze 18:5; Eze 18:7-9; Mat 5:42; Mat 19:21; Mar 10:21; Mat 25:35-45; Mar 9:41; Luk 3:11; Luk 11:41; Act 6:1-4; Act 11:29-30; Rom 15:25-27; 1Co 13:3; 1Co 16:1-3; 2Co 8:1-15; 2Co 8:24; 2Co 9:1-15; Gal 2:10; Phi 4:10-18; 1Ti 5:8; 1Ti 5:16; 1Ti 6:18; Heb 6:10; Heb 13:16; Jas 2:15-16; 1Jn 3:17 Alms; Liberality; Poor, Duty to; Rich, The; Riches
Instances of:
– The old man of Gibeah
Jdg 19:16-21
– Boaz
Rth 2
– The returned exile Jews
Neh 5:8-12; Neh 8:10-11
– Job
Job 29:11-17; Job 31:16-23
– The Temanites
Isa 21:14
– The good Samaritan
Luk 10:33-35
– Zacchaeus
Luk 19:8
– The first Christians
Act 2:44-46; Act 4:32-37
– Cornelius
Act 10:2; Act 10:4
– Onesiphorus
2Ti 1:16-18