Definition of Charity
Charity plays a vital role in Christianity and is one of the building blocks of faith. Charity is a way of life, an action, and a virtue. In Christianity, charity is defined as, “the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need” and is a key tenet of Jesus’s teachings. Compassion and love for others and being Christ-like, is at the core of charity, and this is the foundation that Christianity is built upon.
New Testament Model
In the New Testament, the concept of charity is well established, for the scriptures record numerous examples of Jesus offering alms to those in need. In Matthew 14:13–21, Jesus feeds the five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish. This scene serves as a clear example of the power of charity and its importance in Christianity. Moreover, Jesus teaches others throughout the New Testament to be generous and kind, to help those in need, and to care for the least of these. Therefore, charity is seen as a way of life, not just a one-time event.
Fulfilling the Law of Love
Jesus teaches in the new testament that what matters most is not adhering to a myriad of rules and regulations but instead, to fulfill the law of love. Jesus states in Matthew 22:37-40, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind…And love your neighbor as yourself” (NLT). Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan serves as a clear example of this. In Luke 10:36-37, a man asks Jesus, “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replies “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” In the parable, a man is robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and Levite both pass by, but a Samaritan stops and helps the injured man. The Samaritan helps him despite their cultural differences, showing us that love and charity are more important than anything else.
Charity and Forgiveness
In Christianity, charity and forgiveness are closely intertwined. Jesus teaches about charity and forgiveness in Luke 6:37 which states, “forgive and you will be forgiven.” To love your neighbor as yourself is more than just giving money, but also showing forgiveness to others. Jesus demonstrated this even when he was suffering on the cross, praying for God to forgive his persecutors. Charity and forgiveness are essential aspects of Christianity that are often related, as demonstrated in Matthew 18:21-22: “The servant’s master took pity on him and released him, but the same servant did not have pity on a fellow servant who owed him a few dollars.”
Charity as an Act of Worship
In Christianity, charity is seen not just as an act of love but of worship as well, for Jesus states in the New Testament “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35 ESV). Charity is a way to serve God and glorify him and it has been viewed this way for centuries in the Christian tradition.
Stewardship
The concept of stewardship is also closely tied to charity in Christianity. The Bible calls us to be good stewards of all that God has given us, and that includes money, time, talents, and possessions. When we are generous and charitable with the things that God has blessed us with, it is seen as an act of worship. 1 Peter 4:10 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” This verse serves as a reminder that when we are generous with our time, money, or possessions, it is a way to glorify and serve God.
Example of Jesus
Lastly, charity is also important in Christianity because it is an example that Jesus set for us. Throughout the gospels, Jesus is constantly giving to the poor, healing the sick, and caring for the oppressed. Jesus gave us a model of how we should live our lives and charity is an integral part of this. The example that Jesus set is one that Christians are called to emulate, and charity is one way in which we can do this.
Benefits of Charitable Giving
Charitable giving can benefit individuals, families and entire communities. It helps alleviate poverty, provides resources for people in need and encourages generosity. Moreover, charitable donations can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and bring communities together to support those in need.Additionally, donating to charity has been linked to increased health and wellbeing, because it can raise self-confidence and encourage gratitude. It also helps to build social capital, which is essential to a healthy society.
How To Give
There are numerous ways to give to charity, ranging from donating money, food and other items to volunteering one’s time.Giving financially is one of the most common forms of charitable giving, and many organizations have donation programs in place to make the process easier. Donation websites like Gofundme or Razoo allow people to donate money to charitable organizations with just a few clicks. For those that wish to give their time, there are numerous non-profit and volunteer organizations that are always in need of extra help.
Measuring Impact
When giving to charity, it is important to ensure that the organization is responsible and accountable. Many non-profits are transparent about their operations and provide information on their website about how donations are used. Individuals should evaluate how their donation is making an impact, through measuring indicators such as the number of people served or the amount of resources used. They should also take into consideration the impact the organization is having on the environment and local communities, and ensure that the money is going to a reputable source.
Conclusion
Charity is an important part of Christianity, for it is an example of the love and compassion that Jesus showed for others. Charity is the action of giving selflessly to those in need, and is done out of love and compassion. It is our duty as Christians to be generous and share with others whatever blessings God has given us. Charity is a way to serve God and to serve others, and is essential in living a life of faith.
