Charity, the Christ-Like Virtue



Posted: Saturday, February 19, 2011

by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian

While he was among us, Jesus not only taught but demonstrated what it meant to be his disciple. His noble example of charity should be a motivating force within us, compelling us to follow his steps (I Pet. 2:21).

Charity is "kindness or help for the needy or suffering." As the Master went about his mission of saving the lost (Luke 19:10), "he was moved with compassion" for the multitudes of suffering people he encountered (Matt. 9:36). He healed the sick, delivered those oppressed by demons, fed the hungry. His mission was to "preach good tidings to the poor" (Luke 4:18). He gave to all the greatest gift ever known, salvation from sin and a place in God’s family. It was offered to them as a free gift of grace (Eph. 2:8-9).

In his great parables he often stressed the value of charity. It was the charitable Samaritan whose example he wants us to follow (Luke 10:37-37). The selfish example of the uncharitable Rich Man we are to avoid (Luke 16:19-31). On Judgement Day, it is the charitable who will hear him say "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you..." (Matt. 25:34). The uncaring will be rejected. He reminded us that "the poor ye have always with you" (John 12:8).

There is joint charity that we participate in as members of his church. Our contributions make it possible for the church to help the widows and orphans both here and abroad. The Gentile congregations sent their charitable gifts to help the needy saints of Judea (I Cor. 16:1-6).

There are charitable organizations such as homes for the aged and infirm, orphans and those who are sick in body or mind. To them we might personally contribute.

There is the personal charity that we are expected to extend to those about us. Having given a gift to the church, out of which charity will be extended, does not free us from the duty to respond to those pitiful cases we encounter. Should I encounter a child without a coat on a cold winter day, he cannot wait until the next business meeting of the church. He needs my help now. God has provided me an opportunity to do good unto him (Gal.6:10). The aged John asked, "but who hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?" (I John 3:17). This level of charity might mean to provide a meal or a bag of groceries. It might mean to provide lodging for stranded traveler. It might mean to minister to one who is sick or injured. One could list of a score of circumstances we might encounter to which Christ would have us respond.

There is a charity provide by government. This is funded by taxation and thus the individual has nothing to say about it. His money is taken by government and given to those it considers poor. Governmental charity is the least effective and the least noble. In public charity there is enormous overhead, great waste and indiscriminate distribution. Bureaucracy consumes much of that which is collected. Graft, inefficiency and carelessness devour much of it. Ill conceived government regulations and the indifference of agents often supply much of the money to undeserving social parasites. Activists seem to always get control of the distribution of public charitable funds which are used to promote agendas that actually harm rather than help the poor.

Knowing that sinful people tend to neglect the duty of charity and that some worthless people will take advantage of other folks charity, God has provided some specific instruction on the subject.
•First Christ made it clear that the command to honor ones father and mother includes caring for their needs in their old age (Mark 7:10-11). Those who attempt to escape this duty are thus condemned.
•Paul reminds us, "If any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" (I Tim. 5:8). He goes on to note that this duty extends to grandparents as well (I Tim. 5:4).
•This personal duty to our family means that we should not expect the church to shoulder my responsibility to the needy members of my family (I Tim. 5:16).
•Our charity should first be extended to family and fellow-Christians, but as we are able, our benevolence should reach out to all who are in need (Gal. 6:10).
•God expects us to be discriminating in our charity. We dare not discriminate because of ones race or nationality, but, "if any will not work, neither let him eat" (II Thess. 3:10).
•We must not do our alms to be seen of men. If we do that there applause will be the extent of our reward (Matt. 6:1). Hutton said, "The charity that hastens to proclaim its good deeds, ceases to be charity, and is only pride and ostentation."
•While charity brings God’s approval, it cannot purchase forgiveness. Our salvation is by grace through faith, "not of works lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).
•Charity that is not coupled with genuine love for the recipient is nothing before God (I Cor. 13:3).
•Abundant charity is not an acceptable excuse for disobedience to God’s Word and service in his church.
•Our charity should help a person help himself (Moses Maimonides).
John Waddey is a native of Nashville, TN. He is in his 54th year as a minister of the Church of Christ. Presently he serves the West Bell Church of Christ in Sun City West, AZ. His ministerial work has taken him to 22 foreign nations. Writing has always been an important part of his work. He is the author of 54 volumes. He has served as the editor of the Star Bible magazine and the Christian Bible Teacher magazine. Currently, he writes a weekly newspaper column and edits a monthly journal called Christianity: Then & Now. He also maintains Bible teaching websites at www.firstcenturychristian.com. His latest book, "Testimony of the Twelve Minor Prophets" is now at the printers.

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