Vintage Virtue - Charity

How would you describe, in one word, how you feel about your family?  “Love,” would be a heartfelt response…and although very similar in meaning, not many would say, “charity”.  

When I hear the word, charity, I think of non-profit organizations which appeal for funds, time, skills, equipment, materials, clothing, etc. with the aim to help out others.  Most charities are not seeking publicity, recognition or tribute; most charities use resources to not only help, but to celebrate…and most of all, charities instill hope and foster a loving environment for everyone involved—they are self-less. 

In a popular wedding verse, 1 Corinthians 13, love is defined in several ways: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (New King James Version) 

This is how God treats all of us and expects us to treat each other. It isn’t up to us to decide who to love, in other words, to whom to show charity. God loves us all, and we should be charitable to all of God’s children without discrimination.

Let us purposefully begin at home and give our families our ACTIVE charity. Not the spare change, not the time and energy we happen to scrape together once in a while; let’s give generously in spirit and with humility, and our love will endure. 


God is with you.