This paragraph was added a few hours after the original post: A commenter reminds me that not everyone knows what altruism is. More or less: doing something for others unselfishly. There have been many debates as to whether anyone is ever truly unselfish, but let's stipulate that it's possible. Jesus, at least, was altruistic and unselfish.
Either way, this certainly shouldn't come as a shock to anyone who has read 1 Corinthians 13, which, in part, says:
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (ESV)
This post is dedicated to my wife, an altruistic woman indeed.
By the way, the same study found that people who pray do more altruistic acts than those who don't.One year ago today, I began (partly in recognition of what day this is) a series of posts on the colors of the rainbow (and some others) with this one on red. It closed, as I recall, with a post on black on Good Friday.
Thanks for reading.
4 comments:
I had to look up the definition of altruism. :( Couldn't remember exactly what it meant. But after reading the definition, I could recall some discussions from Bioethics class :). Good post.
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your wife! She could do a guest post. :-)
Ahhh...Bioehtics...the class that had a purpose in my life...it's been one reason that I'm where I'm at right now. :)
What an awesome post! Very encouraging for those of us that are still single. It seems that all you hear is negative stuff about marraige....however, you have to look at the foundation that the marraige is sitting on.
Thanks, Dr. LaBar!
Thanks, ladies. I added an explanation of altruism, Brandy. Don't wait too long for a guest post from my wife, although she'd be welcome. Marriage is in trouble, judging by the divorce rate, April, but there are godly marriages. They are never easy, but they are essential.
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