CHARITY

One day I was having a conversation with a priest about charity. I stated my opinion that charity is an education that a person would learn throughout his life starting from his youth among his own family guided by the parents and through the teachings of church, and naturally he’ll grow up developing his own character based on values and believes, and one of them would be charity.

Then, the priest said: Michel let me tell you this story that happened with me: “I remember one day I was at the Eastern Market to buy couple flats of vegetables to plant in my backyard, and I believe the owner of the business was Italian. After he learned what I’m looking for, he asked me where I parked my car, I pointed it out and it was far in the parking lot, he asked me to drive it up to the front of his place, so I did. Then he asked his son to load up five flats in my trunk, I told him that’s more than what I need, he said don’t worry you’ll need them. When I asked him how much I owe him? He said: ‘no charge, pray for me and my family, father.’ So, I thanked him saying he doesn’t have to do that. He said to me: ‘don’t thank me father, thank God, because all that we own is from His blessings, and any charity that we do is for His Glory and our salvation… Now, that was not only an act of charity, but it was a ‘Sermon’ indeed”

Dear readers; when we read our Bible, we find all the answers needed, because our Lord Jesus Christ told us about everything needed to be done to be on the right path for our salvation, and nothing is better than to refer to His teachings with His own words, and I’d like to quote from (Matthew 25:34-40):

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

How simple and clear is this text?! Jesus is asking nothing for Himself, He is always asking for us to help others: feeding the hungry, offering water to the thirsty, shelter to the homeless, clothing the naked, taking care of the sick and visit the lonely and the one imprisoned… all these things are earthly needs for us people of the human nature whom are weak and need the help. He is God the all mighty, He doesn’t need any of that for Himself but He wants us to walk in His footsteps and treat each other as we would want others to treat us, so that our relationship with Him grows on the strong foundation which starts with love… in another word the habit of charity extends not only to the love of God, but also to the love of our neighbor.

Charity is part of the basic teachings in a Christian believer morality, and giving is limitless. A daily charity of any form or way should be conducted through our basic daily life. The day that passes without an act of charity is not counted as a day of our Christian life. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” (Proverbs 3:27-28).

The person who does charity work with humility, modesty and not being a braggart is a person who holds love and greatness in his spirit, which glorify and reflect the nature of God. Believers whom charity becomes part of their daily practice, enjoy happiness and contentment because Gods’ blessings fill their hearts and souls and give them satisfaction in all that they do in this life.

May God Bless your lives and gives you ten folds what you give…

Deacon Michel Samuel Massoud,

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”