Beneficence, or the act of doing good and showing kindness, is a central theme in the life and teachings of the first Christians. The early church, as depicted in the New Testament, exemplified a community deeply committed to acts of charity and service, reflecting the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of beneficence is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized love and service to others. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs His followers, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). This call to action underscores the importance of living a life that reflects God's love through tangible acts of kindness.

The Early Church's Practice

The Book of Acts provides a vivid portrayal of the early Christian community's commitment to beneficence. Acts 2:44-45 describes the believers as having "all things in common" and selling their possessions to distribute to anyone in need. This radical generosity was a hallmark of the early church, demonstrating their dedication to caring for one another and those in their community.

Acts 4:32-35 further illustrates this communal spirit: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had." The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and "God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them."

Apostolic Teachings on Beneficence

The apostolic letters reinforce the importance of beneficence among believers. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, exhorts the church to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10). This instruction highlights the priority of caring for fellow Christians while also extending kindness to the broader community.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages the church to excel in the grace of giving, reminding them of the example set by Jesus: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). This teaching underscores the sacrificial nature of true beneficence.

The Role of Deacons and Widows

The early church also established roles to ensure the effective distribution of aid. The appointment of deacons, as recorded in Acts 6:1-6, was a response to the need for organized care for widows and the equitable distribution of resources. This development highlights the church's commitment to structured and sustained acts of beneficence.

Widows, in particular, were recipients of the church's care, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:3-16. Paul provides specific instructions on supporting widows, emphasizing the church's responsibility to care for those who are truly in need.

Conclusion

The first Christians set a powerful example of beneficence, rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Their commitment to sharing resources, caring for the needy, and living out the love of Christ serves as a model for believers throughout the ages.Acts 2:44-46
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 4:32-37
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Nave's Topical Index

Organized Beneficence.
... started them on a career of wide beneficence, with a ... Of course his first address
was to pastors and ... No considerable sect of American Christians at the present ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xv organized beneficence.htm

Ephesians ii. 8
... attributed to this, which is the first moving Principle ... 3. CHRISTIANS are saved by
Faith, because it is the ... Disposition, but the Fruit of Beneficence which it ...
/.../sermon ix ephesians ii 8.htm

Want of Universality in the Knowledge and Reception of ...
... We can judge of beneficence, because it depends upon effects which we experience ...
Of the first Christians we read, "that all that believed were together, and had ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi want of universality.htm

The Kingdom First.
... In two things: Everlasting righteousness and everlasting beneficence. ... Kingdom of
God ought to be first in my ... of tens of thousands of Christians throughout the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/v the kingdom first.htm

First Sunday in Lent
... He verifies his assurance, for his beneficence gives testimony ... In the other case,
Christians are offended among ... this topic much is said in First 1 Corinthians ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday in lent.htm

Chap. Xlviii. Not Many Days after the victory, Licinius, Having ...
... reverence paid to the Divinity merited our first and chief ... himself to the rites of
the Christians, or to ... continue to vouchsafe His favour and beneficence to us ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xlviii not many days.htm

Soul-Healing First: Body-Healing Second
... the value of other forms of beneficence, or to ... and religious formalists of the first
water, collected ... which we educated and superfine Christians cannot stand. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture b/soul-healing first body-healing second.htm

Two visitors by Night
... had won so many converts that the brethren were first called Christians' at Antioch. ...
very little would have been left undevoted to works of beneficence. ...
/.../chapter iv two visitors by.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... of himself and his family; or when, like the Apostles and first Christians, he has ...
that strict honour and honesty, which must ever precede beneficence to others ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

part i.
... what is done irregularly in the work of beneficence, is ill ... to lay by him in store
on the first day of ... Holy Ghost intended to require of all christians in all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm

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