Jesus on Charity

The Apostle Matthew records two statements by Jesus, placing them close together in his Gospel, which shows us the proper attitude on charity and good works.

First: Just do it (see Matthew 25:31-46). It’s possible you won’t really understand all the details, but if you aren’t willing to at least consider others, you fail miserably. In terms of judgment under God’s Laws, this is the single greatest killer. Jesus also said quite bluntly, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Put their needs in the same basket with yours. You can only offer what you have, and can only do what you can do. As stated before, you need not feel the slightest conscience about needs you can’t meet. But it’s the uncaring spirit which is evil.

Second: Don’t expect to change the world (see Matthew 26:6-13). You can go too far the other way and use charitable works as an excuse to beat people over the head. Your brilliant ideas about efficiency and proper use of resources may not at all reflect divine priorities. Jesus said, in effect, so long as this earth stands, there will be poverty. It’s a feature of this fallen world, and you aren’t going to undo the Fall. God often doesn’t bother revealing His plans and why some truly nasty people are granted power to rule over us, nor why bad things happen to good people who serve Him. That’s the nature of the Fall. We humans are adamant about our minds being capable of explaining everything, and God would not be God if He didn’t show us we were wrong.

A critical element in human suffering is to drive us to His throne. It’s not supposed to make sense to you unless you work really hard to understand Heaven’s logic as revealed. Christians suffer because that’s a unique opportunity for showing His power over this earth and all its sorrows. If it gets to you, you aren’t doing it right. Suffering is also a tool for His glory, and He certainly has the authority to choose that for you.

Again, the purpose of charity is to express His sacrificial love. Everything you can see, touch or name is just a tool, not so important in itself. All the tangible universe, what you can grasp and a great deal you can’t even imagine, is not important except for the purpose it serves in bringing glory to His Name. Charity is what we do to make Him look good, not ourselves. Otherwise, don’t bother, because you will most certainly make things worse.