True Charity

What is true Charity?

We hear all the time how this group of people believe in Charity, and this group doesn't. How this Political Party cares, this one doesn't. We are told that if you do not care for the Poor and the downtrodden, you are heartless.

But what IS true Charity? The actual world definition is this...

1.generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless: to devote one's life to charity.
2.something given to a person or persons in need; alms: "She asked for work, not charity."
3.a charitable act or work.
4.a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: "He left his estate to a charity."
5.benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor: "She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity."

Charity, can also be translated, and is, in the Word of God, as Love. Love your Neighbor, Love is above all. Etc. But what is Charity according to God. Do we have it right? Jesus gives us a clear example of Charity, in...

Luke 10:

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Now lets look at this a bit. Who did the Samaritan, and the other two that came across, find? Someone who, by no means of their own, found themselves in a poor state. Here is a guy, who was walking or traveling from one point to another, and thieves came and robbed him. Jesus tells us that he was robbed, beaten, stripped naked, and left half dead.

Notice Jesus did not say, he was begging for food. Or that he was out of a job. No. By no fault of his own, this happened to him. He was left helpless. The Good Samaritan, which is where we got the term from, showed mercy and love. He helped this man who was in this state of helplessness. He offered true Charity. Jesus said, "go and do likewise."

What about unemployment and food stamps, and Government funding, which is taking your money, to "help" those in need. Is this something God would be in favor of? Would God see it the Government's Job to care for the poor and needy? Who really are the poor and the needy?

If a man or woman, have the ability to work. God says, work. It really is the Man's responsibility to work and care for the needs of his family. If the Man is not around, then it becomes the Woman's responsibility. But what if they can't? Should the Government step in and become the Father and Husband? No. It is OUR responsibility to care for true Widows and Children. Here is something you do not hear taught often...

James 1:

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Wait, did you call them "true Widows?" What does that mean?

1 Timothy 5:

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Use to be, the Man worked, and the Woman stayed home and raised the kids. Took care of the house. The Man was to provide for, and love his Wife, as his own self. When the Husband and Father died, the Kids then would be responsible to care for their Mother. A Widow indeed, or a true Widow, is someone without children when her Husband dies, and who is not capable of working, and providing for herself.

When all else fails, then God says that it is the Church's responsibility to care for the true Widow and Children. It means, if you are part of that Church, then YES. It is your responsibility as well. One of the reasons for Tithes and Offerings.

But what about those out of work? I know this is not Politically Correct, but God makes it simple to understand. No work? No eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Now what does that mean? It means that if you have to dig a ditch, you need to do it. God does not care if you think you are above it. Even if you have a degree in this or that, if you can not find a Job in this or that, then find something else, until you can. I understand, that many are on the government dole because they have found they can actually make more money, not working, than they can working. 

I know for a fact, someone that was in the Medical field, was unemployed for over a year, because anything they could find outside their field, was not willing to pay them more than they got for nothing from the Government. So why bother working at a Job you hate, if you can get more, for doing nothing?

This person also applied for other free assistance from the Government. Food Stamps, Day Care, and other programs. They found it was amazing what they could get for nothing. They found a Job a year later, and could not be happier about it. They would much rather be working.

But here is the thing. All that, cost everyone, more money than everyone has. People find that it really is easier to accept the free ride, so they chose to ride it, as long as they can. But what happens when this runs out? What happens when the free ride is over?

You as a Child of God need to understand, that you, as well as all, live under a Spiritual Law. Reaping and Sowing. In..

Galatians 6:

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

If you Sow good? You Reap good. Sow evil? Reap evil. Sow nothing. Reap nothing. "What goes around, comes around." Is not just an early saying. It's true. Now as a Child of God, you should also be sowing the Seed. Sharing the Truth. But it is also applicable to all things. Faith, Money, Time, Hate, Love. We are the decisions we make.

2 Corinthians 9:

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Also in...

2 Timothy 2:

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

And in...

1 Timothy 5:

18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

If you are able to work, and chose not to, you are not worthy in God's eye, to receive, anything. Remember the story of the unfaithful servant?

Luke 19:

13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

God is with you. Your needs will be met. He will help you in all things. However, if you do not do your part, He will call another. He will help another. He can not help you if you chose to disobey His Will and His Plan for you and your life.

Many "Christians" do not understand why they seem to work so hard, and yet, have nothing to show for it. The main reason for this, is that they are not doing it right. They are outside the Will of God. According to....

Haggai 1:

5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

If you are outside God's Will, even though you may feel you are doing something good, you will profit litte. This is why it is so important for God's Children to seek out His Will for their lives. Perhaps you have a Degree in Economics. However, God wants to you be a Cook in a Nursing Home? Be a Cook. If you dream of traveling the World and making a lot of money, and yet God calls you to be a Cop. Be a Cop. God has a plan for you. You just need to find it. I do not know what it is for you. But I do know this without doubt. Doing nothing, is not it.

Ephesians 4:

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

So who should we help? Those that can truly NOT help themselves. The Widow. The Sick. Children in need. Those that for physical reasons, truly can not work. Those that for no fault of their own, find themselves in a helpless state. Not those that chose to do nothing. Not those who are able to work. For those who are able to work? "Not work, neither should he eat."

As a Child of God, you need to ask your Father, what is it He wants you to do. Then go do that. When God tells you to do something, He makes a way for you to do it. Even if you do not think you can. It really is simple. If you live within the Will of God, you will profit much. Outside the Will of God? Little to nothing. Sometimes, even that little you have, is taken away.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Do you have that privilege of being able to boldly walk into the Throne Room of God Himself and say, "Hey Dad. I have a question?" Then actually receive an answer? For your benefit?

Romans 8:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, and Jesus IS Lord!