Philanthropos: Growing in the Grace of Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

There’s a beautiful word in the Greek language that we should all be familiar with: philanthropos. Our English word philanthropy comes from this term, which of course as we may know, is all about promoting the welfare of others. Those who engage in philanthropy are usually known for their generous financial donations towards good causes.

But the Greek term has a much wider and richer meaning than that. Loosely translated it means ‘man-loving’ or ‘showing kindness’. Kindness is a benevolent disposition expressed through active goodness. Kindness is a process that starts inside and moves outward. It is rooted in humility and other centeredness. And it is what God has extended to all humankind.

Apart from God’s grace, most of us naturally tend to be concerned about our responsibilities, our problems, our plans. But the person who has grown in the grace of kindness has expanded their thinking outside of themselves and has developed a genuine interest in the happiness and well-being of those around them.

We may be doing great benevolent works for others, but if we are not doing what we are doing with an attitude of kindness, we are not doing it well. God looks at our heart, before our actions. Remember Dorcas in the New Testament?

Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.

This gentle woman’s love for Christ moved her to pour out her life in practical acts of kindness to others. Her friends gathered about her body weeping and remembered to Peter all the good she had done as she used her skills to bless others. Will we be remembered as an instrument of grace and kindness?

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

When we serve people, we serve Christ. When we show kindness to others, we show kindness to Jesus. When we serve others, we show people the goodness of Christ on a practical, personal, you-matter-to-me level. Through kindness we adorn the gospel of Christ and reveal to others the incomprehensible kindness of God through Christ.

In all our interactions, beginning with those who live closest to us, let’s consider how we might be able to extend kindness that goes deeper than a shallow, “Hi, how are you going?”. Kindness will take a sacrifice of time and effort on our part. It will mean asking sincere, I-care-about-you questions. It will mean expressing an interest in their life happenings, offering practical assistance or stopping to pray. Through kindness we can be a minister of God’s grace.

As God leads and as we follow, the borders of our kindness may eventually reach far beyond our natural comfort zone or our normal circle of relationships. Even those of us who find ourselves housebound at times for health concerns are not disqualified from showing kindness. There are so many ways we can show kindness to others, without even leaving our home. Never underestimate the creative ways that God has prepared ahead of time for us to show His loving kindness to others, regardless of our physical circumstances.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

However, the kindness we show to others must not be dependent upon their behavior to us. We are to show kindness despite how our enemy treats us. God’s goodness and kindness to us is not based on how we treated Him, or any worthiness in us. While we were undeserving and sinful, fallen far from His favor, He willingly and generously gave His Son to redeem us. Freely we have received from Him, so freely we can give. To be kind is to be like God.

How can we show the undeserving the amazing undeserving kindness of God? Let’s adorn the gospel by living out philanthropos every day. Then others will be drawn to the beauty of Christ and understand what real kindness truly is, within a culture that is often devoid of it.

“Heavenly Father, please help me to show Your loving kindness to others, especially those who hurt and persecute me. Father, give me Your love for those I live with and who are dearest to me. Show me practically how to bless them with the beautiful grace of kindness. Amen.”