What is the difference between kindness and goodness?
Hello there @theenaocay! The difference between kindness and goodness is that; kindness mainly involves being generous in many ways and considerate, and helping others by any means. Whereas one’s goodness involves righteousness in action or doing what is good and right.
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Can you give me an example? or any illustration of an example? thanks
Both of these are virtues and seems like the same, but actually there is a distinct difference about the two.
Example of goodness:
-volunteering to serve meals at a homeless shelter.
Example of kindness:
-Compliment a friend.
-Wash someone’s car.
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It takes genuine effort to be truly kind. In Galatians 5:19-21, the apostle Paul refers to human nature as “the flesh” and our natural tendencies as the “works of the flesh.” These include hatred, jealousies, selfish ambitions, and envy. All these traits are selfish and self-centered. Kindness requires the opposite – caring concern for others. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
In the Bible, the “goodness” of God often refers to His gracious generosity in providing abundantly for humanity’s needs and benefits (Psalms 23:6; 65:11). It can also refer to God’s generous mercy and patience that allow more time for sinners to repent (Romans 2:4).
But God’s goodness is much more than those things. It is the very essence of God’s nature – His righteousness and holiness. In Ephesians 5:9, we see that His goodness is closely associated with righteousness and truth.