Charity

Larry D. Crenshaw

    One of the cardinal virtues to be cultivated by those who claim kinship with Christ is charity.  The classic Biblical statement on charity is found in 1 Corinthians 13 where a list of charitable standards is set for us.  Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, it is everlasting love, perfect love. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him or her.

Peter, in his first Epistle, said "charity shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). A more accurate translation is, "charity preventeth a multitude of sins," because our sins are never “covered up” from God. A number of conditions must be met to claim the attribute of charity.  One who possesses this trait of character must attain to the following standards: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Charity thus applied, will prevent a multitude of sins. 

When applied to the love of Christ, charity is characterized as selfless and self-sacrificing (1 Cor. 13:5), emanating from a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned (1 Tim. 1:5). Thus, more than an act, charity is an attitude, a state of heart and mind (1 Cor. 13:4 7). It follows, but surpasses in importance, faith and hope (1 Cor. 13:13).  Indeed, the greatest of these is charity.  This may have been what Jesus was trying to teach Peter in John 21:15, 17, wherein he asks Peter three times if he "loves" him, and, to Peter's affirmative answers, responds, "Feed my sheep" and "Feed my lambs," teaching that the true love of Christ always goes out to others. Charity is intended to be an integral part of one's nature.  Indeed, the greatest of Christlike character traits is charity.

Charity

1 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. 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.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Charity is the pure love of Christ, Our Savior

Enduring, hoping and believing all things

An eternal attribute of divine behavior

Rejoicing in truth that the gospel brings

Charity suffers long and seeks not her own

But seeks those meek and good-hearted

In whom faith is sown and grown

Where it flowers and love is imparted

Without charity we are less than naught

Void of Godly wisdom, truth and hope

Denying the blood by which we are bought

Bound by cords of telestial rope

Wherefore, cleave unto charity day by day

Possessing its power and being possessed

As it lights the straight and narrow way

To a life everlasting and heaven blest

Larry Doyle Crenshaw