Definition and Scope
Beneficence refers to the quality or state of doing good and being generous, kind, and charitable. In the biblical context, it encompasses acts of kindness, charity, and the desire to promote the well-being of others. It is a reflection of God's love and goodness, and believers are called to emulate this divine attribute in their interactions with others.

Biblical Foundation
The concept of beneficence is deeply rooted in Scripture, where God's nature is depicted as inherently good and generous. In the Old Testament, beneficence is often associated with God's covenantal faithfulness and His provision for His people. For example, Psalm 145:9 states, "The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made."

In the New Testament, beneficence is exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of healing, feeding the hungry, and caring for the marginalized. His parables, such as the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), illustrate the importance of showing mercy and kindness to others, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries.

Christian Duty and Practice
Believers are called to practice beneficence as a reflection of their faith and as a response to God's grace. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in Galatians 6:10 : "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith." This call to action is not limited to fellow believers but extends to all people, highlighting the universal nature of Christian love and charity.

The early church provides a model of beneficence through communal sharing and support. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This spirit of generosity and mutual care is a hallmark of Christian community life.

Moral and Ethical Implications
Beneficence is not merely an optional virtue but a moral obligation for Christians. It involves a proactive approach to meeting the needs of others and addressing social injustices. James 2:15-17 challenges believers to demonstrate their faith through tangible acts of kindness: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead."

Spiritual Benefits
Practicing beneficence not only benefits others but also enriches the spiritual life of the giver. Acts of kindness and charity are expressions of love that align believers with God's will and purpose. Proverbs 11:25 affirms, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This reciprocal blessing underscores the spiritual principle that giving leads to receiving, both materially and spiritually.

Conclusion
Beneficence is a central tenet of Christian ethics, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus. It calls believers to a life of active love, generosity, and service, impacting both the individual and the broader community. Through acts of beneficence, Christians bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the reality of God's kingdom on earth.(n.) The practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or charity; bounty springing from purity and goodness.1654. eleemosune -- mercy, pity, spec. alms
... alms. From eleos; compassionateness, ie (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence,
or (concretely) a benefaction -- alms(-deeds). see GREEK eleos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1654.htm - 6k

2108. euergesia -- a good deed
... benefit, good deed done. From euergetes; beneficence (genitive case or specially) --
benefit, good deed done. see GREEK euergetes. (euergesia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2108.htm - 6k

19. agathosune -- to do good
... See 18 (). goodness. From agathos; goodness, ie Virtue or beneficence --
goodness. see GREEK agathos. (agathosune) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/19.htm - 6k

2140. eupoiia -- doing good
... to do good. From a compound of eu and poieo; well-doing, ie Beneficence -- to do
good. see GREEK eu. see GREEK poieo. (eupoiias) -- 1 Occurrence. 2139, 2140. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2140.htm - 6k

6665. tsidqah -- right-doing
... righteousness. (Aramaic) corresponding to tsdaqah; beneficence -- righteousness.
see HEBREW tsdaqah. 6664, 6665. tsidqah. 6666 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6665.htm - 6k

Whether Beneficence is a Special virtue?
... OF BENEFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether beneficence is a special virtue? Objection
1: It would seem that beneficence is a special virtue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether beneficence is a special.htm

Of Beneficence (Four Articles)
... OF BENEFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES). ... Under the first head there are four points
of inquiry: (1) Whether beneficence is an act of charity ? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of beneficence four articles .htm

Whether Beneficence is an Act of Charity?
... OF BENEFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether beneficence is an act of charity? Objection
1: It would seem that beneficence is not an act of charity. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether beneficence is an act.htm

Christian Beneficence.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 774. " Christian Beneficence. 774. CPM Blacklock.
Christian Beneficence. 1 Hail, love divine! joys ever ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/774 christian beneficence.htm

Organized Beneficence.
... CHAPTER XV. ORGANIZED BENEFICENCE. ... He has raised us to partake, as it were, in the
ubiquity of his own beneficence. Shall we be unworthy of the trust? ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xv organized beneficence.htm

Of the Kinds of Beneficence, and Works of Mercy.
... Chap. XII."Of the Kinds of Beneficence, and Works of Mercy. This is that perfect
justice which protects human society, concerning which philosophers speak. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the kinds of.htm

The True Gnostic is an Imitator of God, Especially in Beneficence.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book II. Chapter XIX."The True Gnostic
is an Imitator of God, Especially in Beneficence. He is ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xix the true gnostic is.htm

Whether we Ought to do Good to All?
... OF BENEFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether we ought to do good to all? ... Therefore, since
beneficence is an act of charity, we ought not to do good to all. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to do.htm

Want of Universality in the Knowledge and Reception of ...
... Throughout that order then of nature, of which God is the author, what we find is
a system of beneficence: we are seldom or never able to make out a system of ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi want of universality.htm

The Alabaster Box
... 'A good work' is not a piece of beneficence or benevolence, still less is it to
be confined to ... All these lower forms of beneficence are imperfect without that. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the alabaster box.htm

Beneficence (2 Occurrences)
... and goodness. Multi-Version Concordance Beneficence (2 Occurrences). Acts
14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence ...
/b/beneficence.htm - 7k

Unattested (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--
His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons ...
/u/unattested.htm - 6k

Joyfulness (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--
His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons ...
/j/joyfulness.htm - 7k

Existence (35 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--
His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons ...
/e/existence.htm - 17k

Mercy (467 Occurrences)
... adversary; clemency. 2. (n.) Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and
helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence. 3. (n.) Disposition ...
/m/mercy.htm - 43k

Beneficent (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Performing acts of kindness and charity; doing or
producing good; characterized by beneficence. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/beneficent.htm - 7k

Satisfying (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--
His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons ...
/s/satisfying.htm - 7k

Sending (188 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--
His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons ...
/s/sending.htm - 37k

Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality of being kind, in any of
its various senses; manifestation of kind feeling or disposition beneficence. ...
/k/kindness.htm - 45k

Mean (93 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:17 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--
His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons ...
/m/mean.htm - 40k

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