Charity is a powerful way to show God’s love to others. When we extend kindness, compassion, and generosity, we reflect God’s selfless love and care for all people. Through charitable acts, we not only meet practical needs but also demonstrate the unconditional love that God has for each person, regardless of their circumstances. This kind of love, shown through charity, helps people feel valued and cared for, revealing a glimpse of God’s heart for humanity. As it says in 1 John 3:18, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Charity As Explained In The Old Testament
In the Old Testament, charity is deeply woven into the fabric of God’s laws and the values of the Israelite community. Acts of charity, such as helping the poor, caring for widows and orphans, and showing hospitality to strangers, were not only moral duties but also expressions of God’s justice, mercy, and compassion.
Provision for the Poor and Vulnerable: The Old Testament often highlights the importance of caring for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners—those without support or resources. God’s laws mandated generosity and fairness to ensure their needs were met, responding to the needs of society.
Justice and Fair Treatment: Beyond charity, the emphasis is on social justice—ensuring that the vulnerable are treated fairly and shielded from oppression. Prophets such as Isaiah and Amos denounced the exploitation of the poor, calling the people to practice justice and mercy (Isaiah 1:17, Amos 5:24). God also directed His people to replace empty rituals of fasting with actions of justice and compassion (Isaiah 58:3-7).
Charity and Blessing: The book of Proverbs often connects charity with blessings, encouraging generosity by assuring that God rewards those who care for the needy. Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” Charity was seen not only as a duty but also as a way to receive God’s favor. However, in the New Testament era, we are blessed with the New Covenant and new grace, making the expectation of reward for charity unnecessary.
Charity And The New Testament
In the New Testament, charity is central to Jesus’ teachings and the life of the early Church. Jesus and His followers emphasized charity as a reflection of God’s love, a sign of true discipleship, and an essential part of faith in action. Here’s how charity is portrayed in the New Testament:
The Early Church’s Generosity: The early Christians demonstrated charity by sharing their resources with those in need. Acts 2:44–45 describes believers who sold their possessions and shared everything, ensuring no one in their community was in need. This sacrificial generosity became a defining feature of the early Church’s testimony to the world. Sadly, in today’s church, this principle of sharing has sometimes shifted to a means of building personal identity. In the pursuit of recognition, people often overlook the fate of Ananias and Sapphira.
Serving “the Least of These”: Jesus associated Himself with the poor and needy, teaching that caring for them is like serving Him personally. In Matthew 25:35–40, He describes acts like welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked as kindness done unto Him. Charity, then, is seen as service to God. Yet, Scripture also reminds us that God is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, for He Himself gives everyone life, breath, and everything else (Acts 17:25). Thus, the idea of “serving” God is not about meeting His needs. Instead, showing kindness reflects the character of God’s children and is not about fulfilling any need in God Himself.
In the New Testament, charity is more than a moral duty—it’s a response to God’s love and grace. Charity reflects the love of Jesus, strengthens the community of believers, and serves as a powerful witness of the gospel to the world. It’s about embodying Christ’s compassion and kindness, reaching out to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of others in humility and love. Unlike the Old Testament reason, charity is not a path to receive God’s favour, but a response to His unimaginable favour.
Charity And The State Of Affairs
There are two types of people who engage in charity. One group gives to earn favor from God, much like people in the Old Testament. The second group gives to find personal satisfaction, not as a response to God’s incredible grace, but as a return gesture for what they believe God has done. These misunderstandings reduce the noble purpose of charity to a mere repayment of debt. While it’s unclear which category Cornelius might fit into, it is certain that God intervened in his life—not because charity could earn him salvation, but to save him through His mercy. If charity alone could bring salvation, God’s intervention would be unnecessary.
While this perspective highlights the mindset of givers, the effect on recipients is equally significant. Instead of seeing charity as an expression of God’s love through the donor, many recipients take it for granted, believing that a true believer is obligated to provide them with financial support. They view charity as the duty of the believer rather than a response to God’s love. This mindset leads people to expect financial help from believers, without seeking to understand or know God.
Unfortunately, some people who do not understand God’s unconditional love may view the generosity shown to them as conditional, fearing it comes with hidden expectations or future demands. This suspicion can cause them to hesitate or even reject the kindness extended by believers, who give out of a response to God’s love.
This raises an important question: Are we helping others out of a true response to God’s love, or out of a sense of obligation? Often, believers act out of a desire to be loving but may not realize that their assistance could unintentionally prevent others from seeking God. A believer should carefully consider what will truly help the needy—is it financial support to sustain their life, or sharing God’s word, which can lead them to God and a life that is eternally sustainable?
Our response to God’s love should not focus solely on charity, which can create dependence on material aid. Instead, it should be grounded in sharing the Word of God, which brings righteousness and justice and adds all things to those who seek Him (Matthew 6:33).
Repercussions Of The Charity
James believed that without charity, faith becomes lifeless (James 2:15–17). Indeed, faith based on evidence or actions will fade without kindness. But faith empowered by the Author of Faith fulfills God’s purpose in our lives and others’. We are saved not by our deeds but by His grace, through the faith given by God, and the same Giver sustains it; our deeds alone are like filthy rags. Let’s not deceive ourselves by thinking charity itself preserves faith; instead, let us believe in the One who redeemed us while we were still sinners. As the redeemed, do we maintain our faith through our own deeds, or do we trust in the One who authored it within us?
God gave His only Son to save us, and we must not diminish our Father’s unconditional love by relying on charity to earn His favor. Rather, let our acts of kindness be a response to the favor God first showed us. If, however, our charity leads others away from understanding God’s love, it is time for self-reflection. In God’s presence, let us examine whether our kindness is drawing people closer to Him or causing them to drift away. Sometimes, it may require firmness instead of charity to bring them nearer to God.
Judas Iscariot once misunderstood an act of kindness toward the poor, prioritizing it over glorifying God. Jesus reminded him that the poor will always be with us, but the chance for honouring and glorifying God is a rare phenomenon (John 12:4-8). Are we still focusing on charity without giving due glory to our Heavenly Father when opportunities arise? In His final hours, Jesus reported to His Father that He had delivered the truth to the people. Are we relying on our own acts of kindness to draw people to Jesus, or are we trusting in the power of the Gospel?
If we rely too heavily on charity as a way to show God’s love, people may become dependent on the charity itself instead of seeking God. God has placed each of us in unique situations and roles to encourage us to reach out to Him (Acts 17:26–27). In the midst of life’s struggles, God is close, ready to extend His mercy and blessings. Are we, through charity, unintentionally standing between people and God, or are we acting as a bridge, guiding them to the Father as Jesus did for us? Rather than simply giving to meet immediate needs, let’s equip people to seek God for themselves, leading them toward true spiritual sustenance.
And it will be said:
“Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite. – Isaiah 57:14-15 (NIV)
Charity is either an act driven by compassion, justice, and generosity—mirroring God’s own love and mercy—or it’s a way of embodying Christ’s compassion and kindness. Ultimately, charity should connect people with their Creator. Jesus achieved this through His brief ministry. So, the question becomes: what do we hope to achieve through charity? Is it self-satisfaction, seeking God’s favour, building personal identity or helping others reconnect with God?
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
Reply