Christ’s great purpose was to save men from their sins, but He also delighted to save them from their sorrows. His heart felt for human misery, and benevolence followed His steps wherever He went. His journeys were marked by tears of thankfulness, and expressions of love from the helpless, the lame, and the desolate. One of the few joys which gladdened Him on earth was the joy of doing good, soothing grief, and alleviating misery. A journey was not grudged even if only one aching spirit was to be soothed (Mk. 5; Jn. 4:4–5). Also His kindnesses were not dispensed through the intervention of others; all were personal acts.

Do you know anything of such active benevolence? Have you ever felt the luxury of doing good and of making yourself happy by making others happy? Remember, the Lord Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If God has enriched you with this world’s goods, seek to view yourself as a consecrated medium for dispensing them to others. You may have little to give and your sphere of service may be limited, but remember that God can be glorified as much by the trifle taken from poverty as by the splendid benefaction taken from the lap of plenty.

The nobler part of Christian benevolence is not the giving of vast fortunes. Our Lord went about “doing good.” The merciful visit, the friendly word, the little unostentatious service, the giving without thought or hope of recompense, all these are tributary streams to the river of God’s pleasure.