" The father then ordered a "fattened calf" be butchered, for a "feast" honoring his wayward son's return. This son of mine," the father told his younger son, "was dead and is alive again..."

Meanwhile, the oldest son "became angry" and bitterly protested against his father's celebration in honor of the youngest son: "You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends," he said, adding, "...when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!"

And this is where the kindness enters into the story. The father shows that he has the compassion to truly forgive his prodigal son, which is one of the most dramatic ways in which a person can show kindness. The father explained to his oldest son that "this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:11-32).

Conclusion

Whether the kindness and altruism is shown through a parable in the Bible or through the generous giving of individual citizens - selling hot chocolate on the street or using an online service...

(2005, January 1). Donations Large and Small Climb by the Hour.
Los Angeles Times, front page. Retrieved January 2, 2005, at http://www.latimes.com.

Kinniry, Bernadette (2000). At the Water's Edge. The Other Side, 36, 22.

Penny, Amber (2002). What's Kindness Look Like? (Devotions on the Fruit of the Spirit).

Campus Life, 60, 10-12.

Markon, Jerry, & Smith, Leef. (2004, December 30). Internet Sparks Outpouring of Instant Donations. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 30 at http://www.washingtonpost.com.

The Christian Century (2003). National Opinion Research Centre Study: Statistics on Acts of Kindness by Church Goers and Non-Church Goers. Retrieved January 1, 2005 at http://web3.infortrac.galegroup.com.

World Religions: Comparative Analysis (2004). Many Paths to One Goal: The Parable of The Prodigal Son in Christianity and Buddhism. Retrieved January 1, 2005, at http://www.comparativereligion.com/prodigal.html.