The following is a brief summary of a thought said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce this vort to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand.
Rabbi Frand quoted a pasuk in Mishlei that states that one who chases after Tzedakah and Chesed will live a long life and find Tzedakah and Kavod. The Midrash on Parshas Noach says that Avraham was a Rodef Tzedakah and also that he was a Ba'al Chesed because he buried Sarah. Avraham also lived a long life. Avraham merited this long life because Avraham adopted Hashem's traits, so Hashem gave him these rewards.
R' Frand asked - why is Avraham's paradigm act of kindness the burial of his wife? Every human being buries a dead relative. Meanwhile, the angels come and Avraham thinks that they are idol worshippers and Avraham busies himself with their meal and still this is not a significant Chesed event.
R' Frand quoted a Sefer called Me'oras Mordechai which writes that there are people who will do tremendous chesed for others, but will not help out at home. They may help a stranger change a flat, but they won't help with the laundry if their wife had a hard day.
R' Frand next quoted R' Chaim Vital who writes that there are men who do chesed with the rest of the world, but are not nice in their own homes. These men when they come to shamayim will expect entry to Gan Eden. Woe to them, as they don't understand that the first step of chesed is at home.
R' Frand quoted a story where a young man came to complain to R' Shach that no matter how late shabbos started, his wife was never ready. R' Shach responded - pick up the broom and help your wife.
This is the message of the Medrash - Avraham's chesed began in the home and spread beyond it.
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