Faith forum

Why are many human beings altruistic?

Question should direct our thinking to others’ needs

The Rev. Lew Hinshaw, associate pastor, Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt.:

What drives selfless concern for others?

Genetics? Instinct? Desire to make a favorable impression? Adherence to a non-theistic code of ethics? Obedience to divine command?

All of the above?

I believe goodwill toward others exists in every person. One theological way of accounting for altruism is the Judeo-Christian concept of humankind being created in the image of God. It is reasonable to expect that the God-likeness in all human beings will find expression in altruism.

In Christian Scripture, the apostle Paul warned that to give away all one’s goods to the poor from some motive other than (altruistic) love is no better than doing nothing. Whatever the motive, the beneficiaries of charitable acts are of course blessed. But it is also true that self-giving, self-sacrificing altruism blesses the altruistic person by strengthening his/her bond with God and with neighbor.

The apostle also argued that to be actively concerned for the interests of others before one’s own interests was to imitate the altruistic spirit and life of Jesus himself.

Altruism is good for body, mind and spirit.

Asking why many people are altruistic may encourage my selfless concerns for others. It may also help me avoid asking the more important question of why my own altruism often shows symptoms of dysfunction: hesitation, reluctance, inconsistency, grudging support of or adamant opposition to the concerns of others (such as their basic human and civil rights).

That’s the faith question that most needs answering.

Send e-mail to the Rev. Lew Hinshaw at lewhinshaw@sunflower.com.


People made in God’s image share his desire to give

The Rev. Paul Gray, senior pastor, Heartland Community Church, 619 Vt.:

In the beginning, God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves” (Genesis 1:26). Each human being is made in the likeness of God, and therefore we inherit his traits.

God is the most altruistic being in the universe. He gave us life to begin with and created a planet with just the right atmosphere, climate, etc., to sustain us.

When we rebelled against him and thus became separated from him, Jesus is recorded as having said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God first gave us life, then unselfishly gave his son’s life, so that we could be reconnected with him forever.

Once we accept Jesus’ free gift of eternal life, God (the Holy Spirit) takes up residence in us and gives each of us at least one spiritual gift, special abilities that are given to every Christ follower according to God’s design and grace, to be used for the common good of God’s people. God himself has all of these special abilities, and since we are made in his image, we inherently have them, to a certain extent.

Some people have the spiritual gift of “giving,” which is the divine enablement to give without demanding anything in return. Even without this spiritual gift, Christ wants all of his followers to cultivate a mindset of unselfish giving and in the process trust him that we’ll be OK even without the money, time, possessions, etc., that we give away.

Sin — selfishness — stifles the tendency to want to give, but God’s desire is that we all be giving, as he is. He even gives some of us that special divine enablement to be supernaturally altruistic.

Send e-mail to the Rev. Paul Gray at hartland@sunflower.com.