Charity is the true bond,
the glue, which holds our society together. Charity brings us together
personally, in community, and in Nation. It is through personal acts of charity
that our lives take on meaning. It is through personal acts of charity our society
thrives.
Governments do not engage
in acts of charity. They are at best, exercising their bureaucratic muscles.
“They” take without asking, and give discriminately, while bragging about
“their” accomplishments. These are soulless attempts at assisting others while
having no clear objective nor provide an end to those on such assistance. They
provide no physical, emotional, psychological, or financial freedom. Just a
never ending cycle of poverty and dependency. Those who make it out of such
environments usually do so by breaking away from these “assistances”.
This is why independent
organizations, especially the Church, are necessary for a healthy society.
Charity is the command of God, the command of Christ. (*Mark, 12; 29-31) It is through acts of charity that we live in a
relationship with Christ (**Matt, 25;
34-40). This is how we live as Christians. Without regard to the Faith,
lifestyle, ethnic or nationality of those in need. (***Gal. 3; 28)
It is this interaction of
people, for people, by people, that brings us together as a people. It is this
kind of interaction that reduces public tensions. People helping people to
become independent and whole, helps to bring people into a society of helping
others. As governments become increasingly engaged as a charitable entity,
society as a whole suffers at an increasing rate. The poor stay poor, longer.
The rich become increasingly rich, giving of one’s self becomes archaic. As the
government grows, the individual, and society, becomes increasingly apathetic,
perhaps even callous in nature. The attitude then becomes something like “Just go ahead and take some taxes, and leave
me alone”, “I don’t want to be
bothered with “those” people” “that’s
what my taxes are for, I have my own life to live.” Life becomes me and
mine.
The cause of this
separation of the people is the result of good intentions, poorly performed. We
all have our gifts in life. For some of us these gifts are artistic, for others
it’s the ability to connect with others on a personal level. For others still,
it may be organizational skills, or perhaps to work in a team environment. All
these can and should be used to help others in the form of charity. Charity, to
give without the expectation of a return. This goes against much of what we are
taught in our lives.
As we grow and develop in
life we are taught to work hard, save and reap the benefits of our labors, and
that’s OK. Works/acts of charity are something generally learned. Whether at
home or in a religious setting, how to be charitable in a responsible manner,
takes time to develop, not for all of us but for many to be sure.
Regardless if you
volunteer on the occasion to help in your church or community, or if you are an
ardent supporter of a special cause. Engaging in acts of charity is an
essential part of both the individual and the society to create and maintain
healthy attitudes toward one another. To be able to understand each other as a
person, as a people and grow together in a common goal of peace and unity.
To
truly become a world united in respect, we cannot force, we must offer our
assistance in charity, love, community, faith, in a very real and human way. It
is in this way we, all as children of God, can live and grow in the peace we
all wish to achieve.
May the
peace and love of Christ be with you always-
Related article: http://daedgo.blogspot.com/2014/01/1-corinthians-13-adaptation.html
All Scripture is from the NABRE
*Mark, 12; 29-31- Jesus replied, the first is this: Hear, O
Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There
is no other commandment greater than these.
**Matt, 25; 34-40 – Then the
king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I
was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a
stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for
me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and
say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to
them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least
brothers of mine, you did for me.'
***Gal. 3; 28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus.
by David E. Gonzales
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