What is Charity?
Most people assume charity means taking care of or giving things to the poor, but according to Apostle Paul in 1 Cor 13:3 you can do that, yet still lack charity:
If taking care of the poor isn’t charity, then what is? The Apostle Paul described it as such:
Although these verses describe the attributes of charity, they don’t explain what exactly it is. The prophet Moroni described it a different way:
But what is the pure love of Christ? By Christ’s own definition:
This love isn’t limited to those who love us back however. It extends unconditionally to everyone.
In essence, Charity is unrequited love (not the romantic kind). Charity includes loving those who don’t love you back. It is showing kindness to those who lack kindness. Forgiving those who may not deserve forgiveness. Charity does not seek justice, retaliation, or revenge, but shows mercy. Charity does not hold grudges, but demonstrates unconditional love as a parent does for a wayward child. We are all children of God, and we are all wayward. That doesn’t make showing charity easy though. In spite of that, the scriptures are full of examples of Christlike love, of people demonstrating pure love to those who don't seem to warrant it.
- 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. 1 Cor 13:3
If taking care of the poor isn’t charity, then what is? The Apostle Paul described it as such:
- 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 iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Cor 13:4-7
Although these verses describe the attributes of charity, they don’t explain what exactly it is. The prophet Moroni described it a different way:
- charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Moroni 7:47
But what is the pure love of Christ? By Christ’s own definition:
- A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35
This love isn’t limited to those who love us back however. It extends unconditionally to everyone.
- But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matt 5:44
- But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:35-38
In essence, Charity is unrequited love (not the romantic kind). Charity includes loving those who don’t love you back. It is showing kindness to those who lack kindness. Forgiving those who may not deserve forgiveness. Charity does not seek justice, retaliation, or revenge, but shows mercy. Charity does not hold grudges, but demonstrates unconditional love as a parent does for a wayward child. We are all children of God, and we are all wayward. That doesn’t make showing charity easy though. In spite of that, the scriptures are full of examples of Christlike love, of people demonstrating pure love to those who don't seem to warrant it.
Examples of Charity
When the chief priests come to apprehend Christ on the mount, someone defends him by lopping off the ear of Malchus, servant to the high priest. Christ shows charity by healing the man.
Even when he is about to be crucified, Christ prays to God on behalf of the Roman soldiers preparing his demise.
Even in ancient Egypt, a man by the name of Joseph exemplifies the pure love of Christ through the kindness he shows his enemies, who happen to be his own brothers. Angered at his preferential treatment by his father, and his visions of dominion over them, Joseph’s brothers first conspire to kill him, but instead sell him to traveling merchants for 20 pieces of silver.
In spite of his treatment by his brethren, Joseph confides in his God and forgives them, eventually welcoming them into Egypt to survive the great famine.
Another example of true charity is David. That exceedingly faithful youth that defended the Name of the Lord by slaying the giant Philistine named Goliath was well received by king Saul, but that didn't last long. Saul had set David in charge of his armies, but David's exploits caused him to grow in renown and splendor. Saul became envious of David's fame. His jealousy grew so deep that he pursued David to murder him.
Saul's boiling hatred was so great that he murdered the priests of the Lord, their families, and their city, because a few had shown David kindness.
In spite of all this, David holds Saul's life in his hands multiple times and each time spares it, demonstrating true charity by loving his enemy.
In the end it was said of David "thou lovest thine enemies". 2 Sam 19:6
- But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Luke 22:48-51
Even when he is about to be crucified, Christ prays to God on behalf of the Roman soldiers preparing his demise.
- 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. … And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:33-38
Even in ancient Egypt, a man by the name of Joseph exemplifies the pure love of Christ through the kindness he shows his enemies, who happen to be his own brothers. Angered at his preferential treatment by his father, and his visions of dominion over them, Joseph’s brothers first conspire to kill him, but instead sell him to traveling merchants for 20 pieces of silver.
- And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
- And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. Gen 37:17-28
In spite of his treatment by his brethren, Joseph confides in his God and forgives them, eventually welcoming them into Egypt to survive the great famine.
- And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
- Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. Gen 45:2-15
Another example of true charity is David. That exceedingly faithful youth that defended the Name of the Lord by slaying the giant Philistine named Goliath was well received by king Saul, but that didn't last long. Saul had set David in charge of his armies, but David's exploits caused him to grow in renown and splendor. Saul became envious of David's fame. His jealousy grew so deep that he pursued David to murder him.
- And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 1 Sam 19:1
Saul's boiling hatred was so great that he murdered the priests of the Lord, their families, and their city, because a few had shown David kindness.
- And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.
And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. Sam 22:16-19
In spite of all this, David holds Saul's life in his hands multiple times and each time spares it, demonstrating true charity by loving his enemy.
- Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.
And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. Sam 24:2-7
- So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?
David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. Sam 26:7-11
In the end it was said of David "thou lovest thine enemies". 2 Sam 19:6
Concluding Thoughts
How good are we at being charitable? Do we pray on behalf of our leaders, that God will guide them, even if they may not share our political standings? Do we seek to help criminals change for the better, or do we immediately wish them harm? Do we shrug off insults and love others unconditionally? Do we pray for our enemies?