CHARITY by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 11, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 32.

CHARITY

By W. N. G.

The world's nominal charity in general is charity for a consideration. The world is full of so-called benevolent societies, but they are mutual benevolent societies. The benefits are for members only, for those who have paid for them. They do no charitable work; they collect and disburse on purely business principles. One in need gets just what is contemplated in the membership contract—if he has paid his dues.

This is not charity, altho it passes for such in the world. These institutions are on a purely selfish basis, altho generally accredited with being charitable. The members invariably become such on account of the benefits to be derived, and not because of the opportunity to do good. The inducements to join any human confederacy are always the benefit to one's self or family. There is not a single opportunity to do good inside of an “order” that may not be more than duplicated outside of it—and that too without the continual useless expense of keeping up the machinery and the paraphernalia, which would do all the beneficent work of the order twice over.

Charity is the essence of Christianity. It “suffereth long, and is kind.” There is no limit to its kindness; it does not suffer awhile, and then say, “This thing can not be tolerated any longer,” “Forbearance ceases to be a virtue,” etc. No, it “suffereth long, and is kind.” There is no retaliation in it at all. “Charity envieth not;” it does not want other people's possessions without a fair equivalent; it harmonizes with the commandment, “Thou shalt not covet.” “Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own [much less that which belongs to other people], is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity.” It doesn't go with excited enthusiasm over the reports of bloody battles and the destruction of other people's property. It “rejoices in the truth.” But what is truth?—The Word of God is truth (John 17:17); David says, “All Thy commandments are truth” (Ps. 119:151); Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6). The Word tells us to love God with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. This is charity, and “charity never faileth.” “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” See I Corinthians 13.

W. N. G.