Charity?

I stumbled on a message that is in the public domain which seems to be advocating for a scriptural means to God, but, looking beyond the surface, I discovered it is far from what the scripture establishes; it is on the subject of charity.

The message says what opens the door to heaven is giving to the needy; as much as a man gives to the less privileged he is not at risk of hell and those who fail to give to the needy (supposedly saved ones inclusive) are at risk of hell. Two things can be inferred from the position above: One, that Charity can make God count you worthy for eternal life; and two, you need to add to your salvation charity which without it, there is a possibility of hell.

This thought has so much emotional appeal, however, emotions has nothing to do with divinity; it only takes expression in our humanity. Issues of eternal reality don’t change, hence, its unreliability on emotions. You don’t even need to be saved to give, you only need to be human.

The anchor scripture of the “thought” is found in the book of Matthew 25:34-46. This scripture is one of Jesus’ parables of the kingdom which He ended with the analogy of separating the goats from sheep. The sheep (righteous ones) gained entry into the Kingdom while the goats (the condemned) were cast out from entering the Kingdom. And, on explaining the reason each group were given the judgment meted out to them, Jesus said the righteous saw the King and gave him food, clothed him, visited him and gave him a home which the other group failed to do. In curiosity they asked, “Where and when did we see the King to do this? He then said when they did it to the least of his brethren, they have done it to him. Hence, the conclusion that charity is the way to entering the kingdom.

Now, the first thing to make clear here is that “eternal truths” are not built out of parables. Parables were said by Jesus to those with unbelieving heart. Therefore, as a result of not being able to understand God from Jesus, He did all the breakings of all He had to say in parables even the minutest admonition He had for them.

 “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear nor do they understand” Matt 13:13

These were only instructional materials to men whose hearts were dull to understanding and a pointer to their inadequacies. So, it is wisdom to look into Jesus’ teaching to His disciples on the same topic.

“For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” John 6:47

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” John 5:24

Let’s look at the teachings of the apostles likewise:

“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” Act 10:43

“…But the scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” Galatians 3:22

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9

It is boldly expressed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles that the way to eternal life is believing in Jesus as the Son of God and that doesn’t need any other thing added to it to make it valid; Jesus is enough. Therefore, charity is never a way to earning citizenship in the kingdom. So, that a man is good is not enough; ask Cornelius (Act 10:1-44)

So what is it about charity?

It is a nature of God that every true believer should be eager to express not on a basis of what to earn from it. Jesus depicted this on many occasion during His earthly ministry; He felt pity for the people and went about doing good. Charity is our attitude, it is not a criteria to having eternal life.

Listen to what the apostles said to Paul when he was to start his ministry:

“They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do” Galatians 2:10.

Friend, charity does not open the gate to eternal life, believing in Jesus does, if you do all the Charity works and have not come to the place of accepting the salvation offered by Jesus, you need help.

Would you like to give your life to Christ completely and become a kingdom citizen? You can do so now by just asking Jesus to come live in your heart, that you accept Him as your Lord and Saviour (Amen).

Friend, as you go this week, express the God-nature in you by being a blessing to the needy.

Be Innovated

Olufemi Ibitoye