Charity

Foundational

Value

What is Charity:

Since the beginning of civilization, there has always been the rich and many poor; those who have and those who have not; those with means and those without.

Those who are satisfied and those who are hungry, sick, and in need.

Charity, is the selfless act of giving support, aid, time, or material assistance to another who is unable to help themselves or their family.

In a word, Charity is the Generosity a person shows to another person, or group, or cause, or animal, with the full intention of helping them and improving their condition of life and relieving them of their suffering; restoring their Dignity.

Generosity is most pure when it comes from a person’s own means, and is given with self-sacrifice; wherein a person chooses to help another instead of helping themself.

Charity, generosity of the soul, really is special when someone stretches their willingness to help. A generosity of Heart requires that the contribution of time or resources is somewhat of a sacrifice, not just a temporary gesture.

Any generosity, no matter how small, is always better than none. However, when someone makes a personal decision to morally stretch themselves by making a sacrifice through their contribution of resources, then that’s really something very special, and God takes Note.

The most genuine generosity is making a decision to help someone in need, somewhere in the world; instead of spending resources on yourself. It’s not easy, in fact it’s very difficult, but it is the most rewarding of all charity, when there’s a “stretch” involved.

For example, you may be doing well, and you are considering buying a new car, or putting a pool in, or buying a boat, or buying a new dress, or motorcycle, or plane, or four-wheeler, … you get the point.

Instead, of spending $20-$60,000 on yourself, you meaningfully give to someone, somewhere in the world, who needs the help right now, and we mean, right now! Everyday, thousands are dying for lack of food, medical care, shelter; Right this very minute as you are reading this.

So we choose every day to take that Humanitarian Step now, or not; now or later. Taking that step can literally mean the matter of life, suffering, or death for a helpless child, or mother, or family somewhere. You can make a difference, You can reach out.

Examples of Charity:

Charity exemplifies a purity of heart; an intentional willful act to personally step up and help someone or something improve their state of being.

Examples of Charity include:

Giving to Major Charities like:

and many other fine organizations dedicated to Humanity.

Giving or assisting through Volunteer Work:
- Local Community Food Banks
- Homeless Shelters
- Homes for The Mentally Ill
- Substance Abuse Centers

Giving or assisting at:
- Nursing Homes for Elderly Seniors
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Fundraisers for the Indigent
- Suicide Prevention Centers

Giving or supporting organizations dedicated to Aiding Abused, Lost, Sick, or Abandoned Animals.
- Animal Rescue Shelters
- The Humane Society
- Some Veterinary Clinics

Supporting missions across the world and the good work done by the many people in various professional fields, along with tradesmen, religious coordinators, and lay people; all who give generously of their time, energy, passion and skills.
- Doctors
- Teachers
- Eye Specialists, Eye Surgeons
- Dentists and Oral Surgeons
- Medical Researchers
- Pharmacists
- Nurses
- Medical Technicians
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Masons
- Contractors
- Plumbers

Anti-Value: Greed

Greed is the opposite of Charity.

Greed is an ever selfish, ever hungry desire to get wealth, material possessions,

and power exclusively for oneself.

A Greedy person will always put themselves ahead of others and typically will trick, deceive, extort, or use violence and intimidation to get more of what they desire.

A Greedy person is not generous nor charitable, but instead will keep and take wealth for themselves. The wealth they will seek can be money, gold, silver, jewels, art, cars, buildings, clothes, planes, stocks, bonds, homes, … anything that attempts to satisfy their greedy

desire for the material things of this world. The greedy hoard, and are never satisfied with what they have,never content with their station in life.

The greedy will expend resources wastefully, as they have no respect for frugality and moderation.

Biblical References of Charity:

Acts 20:35: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Matthew 6:1-4: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Luke 12:33: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”