BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF CHARITY
OCTOBER 23, 2024
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 13:1-5
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Today, we shall be concluding our series on Charity. We shall be delving into a list of characters that, at one point or the other, demonstrated charitable acts in the Bible.
Inspiring Examples of Charity
✅ Jesus Christ: Our perfect example. The greatest form of charity in the Bible is the fact that Christ laid down his life for mankind. (John 3:16)
✅ Cornelius: He gave generously to the poor and was described in the Bible as an epitome of generosity. (Acts 10:2-4)
✅ Dorcas: Her charitable acts indeed spoke for her upon her demise. She was fond of always making garments for the widows among them, and those deeds of hers spoke expressly for her as the women repeatedly cried in a bid to convince the Apostle Peter to raise her.
✅ Barnabas: He sold his property to give out to the poor and needy. (Acts 4:36-37)
✅ Phoebe: She was described by Apostle Paul as being a “succourer” as she was very hospitable and kind towards Paul and his travel companions. (Romans 16:1-2)
✅ Boaz: He was quite hospitable and charitable towards Ruth when she came to glean in his field, even though he had no prior knowledge of who she was before that time. He allowed her to harvest freely and even gave her extra gifts for her mother-in-law.
✅ Job: Job reportedly assisted the poor and the needy around him. (Job 29:1-2)
Barriers to Charity Demonstration
✅ Fear: Many are always afraid of helping others due to different factors such as the person being assisted having different misgivings about such assistance, giving to someone that may cause endangerment to one’s life or finances spiritually, etc.
✅ Selfishness: A lot of people only see and think about themselves. Many people never see the need to give to others, as they always act under the guise that they don’t have enough. It is a well-known fact that he that can’t give when he has little may not likely give when he is endowed with much, because such person will always have the already-programmed notion that he still lacks the capacity to demonstrate love/charity.
✅ Lack of Resources: Many desire to express their charity to others in one way or the other, but simply don’t have the wherewithal to do so. It could be another barrier to being charitable towards others.By God’s abundant grace, we can prayerfully overcome these barriers and demonstrate charity just like the aforementioned Biblical characters.
SEARCHLIGHT: Charity is a gift bestowed on us by God. As we demonstrate charity, we invariably spread Christ’s light to the people of the world.
PRAYERS: 1. O LORD, fill me with passion, kindness and compassion for those around me.
2. LORD, give me the needed resources to extend your love to those around me, in Jesus Mighty name.
BIBLE READING:_*Ezekiel 22-24, Matthew 22.
PST. MICHAEL OMOLE
