Charity, as defined by religion and the world

It is not just Christianity that has charity as a central theme.  In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, charity is the virtue of generosity or giving.  Charity is the 3rd pillar of Islam and is right at the heart of the Mosaic Law.  In fact when a lawyer of the Pharisees asked Jesus, which is the great commandment of the law, this was his answer:

• Mat 22:37-40  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Religion generally, not just law-keeping Christianity, tries to define charity along the lines of being the highest form of love; which includes love towards God (whatever god that might be) and others (i.e. loving your neighbour as yourself).  

The world view of charity is very similar, except that God is omitted from their definitions; but both religion and the world together see charity as unselfish giving of money, gifts and practical help to those who are poorer than ourselves. 

Whether organized by religious denominations or nonprofit organisations (NPOs), charities are everywhere, thus re-enforcing people’s (false) understanding of what charity really is.   Even the dictionaries tell us that a charity is “an organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need”.  They define charity as “the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need”. Synonyms for charity in dictionaries are:  financial assistance, aid, welfare, relief, financial relief, funding.   

The real meaning of charity

None of the above religious and world definitions of charity are adequate.  In fact, it might come as a surprise to learn that it is possible to be genuinely motivated by love for others, prepared to give everything we have to feed the poor and prepared to suffer on their behalf, even if that means being burned to death, yet all this without charity!!   

How is it that what religion and the world calls charity, can actually be performed by someone who does not have charity? 

• 1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

How shocking it would be for a religious person to learn that their works are actually without charity and will, therefore, profit them nothing in the eyes of God. 

Truth and love are both essential for charity

Because charity rejoices in the truth, love without the truth is not real charity. 

1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Love on its own is not charity, nor is charity simply about giving to the poor in acts of kindness, food, clothing or financial aid.  It must be accompanied by the truth, otherwise it is nothing.

True love and the importance of charity

Simply put, true love is love with the truth.  The KJV bible calls this charity, and without it we are nothing.  If we could speak every language, understand all mysteries, be the most knowledgeable person in the world and have such faith that we could move mountains; without charity we are nothing.  That in itself, should tell us that charity is important.   

• 1Co 13:1-2  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  (2)  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Temporary relief or eternal benefit from the word of truth

What religion and the world call charity may well bring temporary relief to its recipients and a feeling of justification and self-righteousness to those who give generously, but without the truth it does not fulfil the will of God:

• 1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

But what truth?  This is where it’s important to study to show ourselves approved unto God, as workmen that don’t need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  

• 2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We need to understand that while there is truth in the law, which Jesus himself confirmed on earth as including “love thy neighbour as thyself”, he subsequently revealed to Paul that we are not under the law.  In fact, he taught that:

• Gal 5:4  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
• Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

A charitable person rejoices in the truth

The word of truth for this age of grace, is the gospel of salvation concerning Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery: that he died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day for our justification.  Charity rejoices in this truth and is motivated to preach it, to the eternal benefit of all who believe.

Anyone can be saved from death and hell to eternal life in heaven, simply by trusting in Christ, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation.

• Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.

The gospel of our salvation

The word of truth, the gospel of our salvation is defined in 1 Cor 15:1-4

• 1Co 15:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

How to increase in charity

Charity is the product or outworking of faith and hope, which strengthens and increases as we grow in knowledge of the truth, accord to God’s will:

• 1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

As we grow in the knowledge of the truth, God’s word works effectually in us, resulting in the fruit of the Spirit being manifest in our character, equipping us not just with knowledge, which in itself is nothing, but with charity, without which we are unable to effectively preach the gospel or to edify one another. 

Charity is the fruit of God’s Spirit

Charity is God’s love working in us, and bearing the fruit of his Spirit.

We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus.

• Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

God teaches us through his Word, establishing us in correct doctrine, reproving, correcting and instructing us in righteousness, so we are complete and fully equipped to perform the works that he has before ordained that we should walk in them.

• 2Ti 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Understanding and bearing the fruit of God’s Spirit 

In Paul’s letters, we can read what the fruit of the Spirit is, and is not.  By searching and studying the scriptures, God’s word will work effectually in us, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our thoughts, words and actions.  Together, the fruit of the Spirit is God’s pure and true love: charity, working in us for the benefit of others.

Corinthian examples of the need to put on charity in the body of Christ

Paul wrote 1 Corinthians as a letter of admonition, to correct their many problems.  They had gifts of the Spirit, needed for ministry at that time, because the scriptures had not yet been completed. However, they compared each other’s gifts, esteeming one person above the other.  

They had many bad behaviours toward one another, divisions among them in Chapter 1, carnal as babes in Chapter 3, glorying in the wisdom of men, puffed up one against another in Chapter 4, fornication accepted among them even such as was not named among the Gentiles in Chapter 5, going to law against each other, defrauding each other and fornication in Chapter 6, and uncharitably causing weaker brothers with conscience to eat meat sacrificed to idols in Chapter 8.   

The more excellent way outlined

So Paul taught the Corinthians that they were all part of the same one body of Christ, and they all had need of each other.  

In Chapter 10 he says the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?   For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. They were instructed not to be selfish and greedy, but to look out for each other’s wealth and wellbeing. 

• 1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.  

There were divisions and heresies among them in Chapter 11, with some indulging in gluttony and drunkenness, while others went hungry and became sick.  Then, in Chapter 12, having admonished them for esteeming one above the other, based on their gifts, he explained that they were part of the same body of Christ, and he went on in Chapter 13 to show them a more excellent way than even the best gifts.  This more excellent way is more than love; it is called charity in the KJV. 

The Corinthians, and all members of Christ’s body today, are instructed to learn and yield to the truth of God’s word, therefore allowing it to work effectually in them that believe.  In doing so, we can be transformed by the doctrine which Christ revealed to Paul, for the church. In Paul’s epistles, we learn that charity:

• Is longsuffering and kind;
• Does not envy (meaning is not jealous, greedy; bitter, resentful, spiteful or desirous of what others have but, rather, shows the opposite, which is goodwill; kindness, generosity, concern and friendliness).
• Vaunteth not itself and is not puffed up (meaning it doesn’t boast, brag, hype or push itself);
• Doth not behave itself unseemly (act inappropriately, impolitely, or unbefitting for a member of Christ’s body);
• Seeketh not her own, (seek not our own things, but the things of Christ and others that they may obtain the salvation; bear one another’s burdens etc.)
• Is not easily provoked (triggered, reactive, incited or aggravated)
• Thinketh no evil; (badness, ill or harm towards others;
• Rejoiceth not in iniquity (unrighteousness), but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things and never fails.

How to put on charity and bear it’s fruit

This is quite a lot to remember and apply.  But God has provided his written word, as the means by which we can be transformed, by the renewing of our minds. 

To be conformed to the image of Christ, we put on the new man by studying and yielding to his word, so it works effectually in us, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, which is charity (God’s true love) working through us. 

Detailed instructions for the church

Paul’s epistles are full of instruction and admonition regarding the fruit of the Spirit. We just need to prayerfully study, believe and desire to be conformed to the image of his Son (Ron 8:29).  

We should seek not to be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom 12:2).  

The following verses are examples of admonition to walk in charity, expressing the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives:

• Gal 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
• 2Co 6:6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
• Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
• 2Ti 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  (25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  (26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
• Col 1:10-11  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
• Col 3:12-13  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  (13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
• Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Conclusions

There are countless religious books, articles and sermons trying to tell us what love really is, but they almost all cause confusion; helped in no small way by the fact that modern translations of the bible replace the English word charity, from the KJV, with the word “love”.   

The true meaning of charity, while hidden from most of the world, is in plain sight for those who believe and study God’s word, rightly divided.  

Not only is charity defined in 1 Cor 13, but it is explained in detail throughout Paul’s epistles as the fruit of the Spirit.  We are instructed to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col 3:10); We do this by studying God’s word, believing it and allowing it to work effectually in us, being exhorted and comforted by it, as we learn how to walk worthy of God.  

• 1Th 2:11-13  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  (12)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.  (13)  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Members of the church which is Christ’s body need to actively put on the new man, that we would have charity that will profit others and create a bond of perfectness between us.

• Col 3:12-14  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  (13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  (14)  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

The real meaning of charity is something Satan, the god of this world tries hard to hide. Remember:

• 2Co 4:3-4  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

He knows that, by members of Christ’s body understanding and putting on charity, we will edify one another in love, grow in the knowledge of the truth and preach the gospel that saves, teaching others to do so also, in keeping with God’s will that all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

• 1Ti 2:3-4  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  

In case we still have any doubts about the importance of charity:

1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

It is the desire of believers to serve the Lord, because we believe his word is true, and we trust in his finished work on the cross. 

We also know that his grace is sufficient, even in hardship and persecution for the sake of the gospel, as we wait for our hope of eternal glory in Christ.  

But, most importantly, we know from God’s word that with the mind of Christ, and the pattern he gave us in Paul for this age of grace, our labour must be rooted in love for God (because he first loved us), love for one another and love for all mankind.  We have come to learn that this (agapē) love is charity; the outworking of God’s love, as his word works effectually in us to naturally bear the fruit of his holy Spirit in our daily lives.

If we follow this pattern, our work will be of faith, our labour of love, and our patience to endure persecution will be because of our sure hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

• 1 Thessalonians 1:3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;