Charity

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“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. 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. 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.”

*What is Charity, you might ask? Charity in the bible is Love. Love is an important factor in effectively performing the works for the Lord. Without charity/love, anything that we do is considered nothing; it was all for nothing. In today’s society we know charity as it is where people donate their money and time to a certain foundation in need of support. Though it is a wonderful experience to take part in, half the time people today do it without feeling and only looking for a return investment. Now how can you possibly receive a reward from giving to a charity? Well, people think giving publicly will heighten their status in society and give the appearance of a good person; but that is just it. Now, I’m not saying everyone has this mindset, but with the many hearts today, it has completely changed the true purpose of Charity.

What God wants to see in the “Charity” we partake in for Him, is fulfilling His Word, and that is by spreading the good news to all nations and tongues. The only problem the Lord sees today, is that people are lacking the most important factor, Love. Love is an emotion that produces action into someone or something we have such passion for. **

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil: Rejoiceth not in inquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

*This brings me back to the story of the Samaritan who went out of his way to help a Jew. *

Luke 10: 30-37

“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him, Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

*If you notice in the reading above, this man that had befallen among thieves was rejected help from two people that you would assume would stop and help, but had in fact turned a blind eye! A priest of all people to turn their face of someone in need is a true betrayel, someone that is suppose to eat, sleep and breathe compassion for mankind because they are suppose to be a holy vessel. But by the example of this priest, it doesn’t matter of the apparel and persona you carry. If you don’t exemplify that title in action by LOVE, especially in this case, then everything you have done or continue to do is by no means valuable in the eyes of the Lord. Then a Levite, someone who is of the same kind as the beaten man, had turned his eyes and withheld compassion from helping this man. It shows that even if you share the same bloodline and/or fellowship as someone else, you can still reject them without batting an eye. I have heard family members turning their back on each other, and it could be for the price of the all mighty dollar! Now, what speaks volumes in this study, is that someone who you would never even consider taking the time out for this person, did exactly that! Samaritans and Jews were to be separate back then, because of the different beliefs and cultures they held; Samaritans were idol worshippers while the Jews were to solely worship God. The fellowship of these two people were a no-no, for the reason of the influence of Idol worship. But in this case, the Samaritan wasn’t concerned about the background of this helpless man, he looked upon the need. He showed a compassion that no one else showed him, and went out of his way to make sure the man was taken care of. He did this out of the love he had in his heart, and not thinking of anything in return; especially for someone who he wasn’t to be in contact with! Oh, how we can share this same love for others! We live in a wicked world where people look out for #1 and no one else. This is the opposite of what God wants from us. *

1 Corinthians 13:9-13

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

*It takes a person of true heart and maturity to put others first in replace of their own needs. It is said, that we should have Faith, Hope and Charity (Love) but most importantly Charity (Love)! Remember, that God is Love, and without that Love, He doesn’t live in us as He should! *

1 John 4:16“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”