The word charity traditionally denotes the idea of practical love. The word is used more formally now to denote organised endeavours to help the disadvantaged. Charity is a uniquely Christian notion since it is based in the idea of the inherent dignity of every human being, an idea that is also unique to the biblical view of humanity as God’s children. The goal of charity then is to see people restored to their full dignity as children of God. This is also what it means to make disciples, which is the central mission of every Christian. The journey to restored human dignity begins with Jesus who reconciles us with God, indwells us by the Holy Spirit and transforms us inwardly so that we can live the way God made us to live. The gospel is central to charity because the core problem with all people is an underlying spiritual poverty. If this is not acknowledged, then charity perpetuates false polarities: it divides people into the helpers and the helped, poor and rich, functional and dysfunctional, and so on. Helping people can feel good because it consolidates the helper’s sense of superiority. The gospel message, however, has a radical equalising effect. It tells us that we all share a common spiritual poverty, and we all have equal access to transforming grace. Discipleship therefore involves the formation of spiritual transformation communities in which everyone is both discipling and discipled. We call these communities ‘churches’. If you want to help people, do it as a gospel witness.
Recommit yourself to following Jesus and helping others to do the same.
Read Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2.
