Charity

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And 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. 3And 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 (King James)

The first time I heard of this passage translated as "...and have not charity," I was taken aback. I had always heard "... and have not love." I understand that the definition charity involves love, as in caring for others; caring enough to give to meet their needs. The meaning of the passage is clear, you can walk the walk, but without truly caring for others, it means nothing.

 

The third sentence puzzles me, though. The author is hypothetically giving to the poor, which means charity to me. He's sacrificing his body for the good of others. How does one do that without charity?

 

Perhaps it is possible to perform acts of charity, without really FEELING it. I'm reminded of Mitt Romney after Hurricane Sandy. He was campaigning in the mid-west at the time, and he collected cans of food for the victims of the storm. It was a kind gesture, but some wondered if it was genuine. There were rumors that he gave out the cans to people as they entered the rally, only to have them donate it back to him as a photo opportunity. Others felt that collecting canned food was kind of an empty gesture, as people in the flood areas didn't need canned food, they needed other things.

 

What Romney's act of charity really is depends on whether there was "charity" in his heart when he performed this act. Did he truly have love for the victims of Sandy? Was he trying to help, or was he doing what seemed to be the right thing at the time. (There's a disaster, we collect food.) I like to think that Mitt Romney wanted to really help out. Even though people may criticize the level of impact the collection made, anything, no matter how small, when done with love, makes a difference.

 

Lord, when I do the things I do for others, please make my heart truly caring and thoughtful. Keep my mind on how to help, rather than wanting to appear to help. In Jesus' name I pray.