Moment With Betty

In Christian theology, charity is considered as one of the seven virtues and according to Thomas Aquinas, it is “the friendship of man for God” which “unites us to God”.  Thomas Aquinas holds it as “the most excellent of the virtues”.

Charity is generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering, it is also an aid given to those in need. For example, neighbours, Institutions that are engaged in relief of the poor and also raising funds for several charities.

 As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church( CCC), charity is the virtue by which we love God above all things with our whole heart and soul because God is all good and worthy of all love. It is the virtue that makes us to love our neighbour as ourselves for the sake of God, to forgive all who have offended or injured us and that also makes us to ask for pardon of all who we have injured too. InThe forge point, 456, Saint Jose Maria Escrivia, said that we should love and practice charity without setting limits or discriminating between people because it is the virtue that marks us out as disciples of the Master.

Charity is not something we ourselves build up, it invades us with God’s grace, ‘because he has loved us first’ thus we are able to love Him back and also show affection to those around us through the father’s love for us.

It is commonly said that charity begins at home and this is the reason why we need to teach our children and wards how to be charitable at an early age, with little things. People sometimes say, this person or that person is very charitable but trust me, knowing how to give with intention does not come naturally. It sometimes requires one to learn it except if the parents have inculcated it into them right from the early age Teaching children about giving can help them discover the things that they care about, help them develop budgeting skills and financial literacy, and also open their eyes to valuable tools that can help them create change in the world .Therefore, l consider this virtue of charity very important because it can help us to realise that it is possible to bless others in our community or world with just as little as a loaf of bread, a few coins, a plate of food to a hungry neighbour or family member. Taking time to walk an elderly person across the road, visiting a sick neighbour or relation, accompanying a friend or colleague to the clinic. Giving some used/ new clothes to a neighbour, or motherless homes, old people’s homes or donating it to the church and giving a listening ear to a troubled colleague or friend, etc.

Believe me, giving to charity gives a deeper meaning to life and helps us see our purpose to the people in our society/ community. Giving is one of the essential meanings behind a charity and it allows for so many benefits such as, increasing our sense of social connectedness, empathy and responsibility, as well as improving our personal welfare.

Charity is held to be the ultimate perfection of the human spirit because it is said to both glorify and reflect the nature of God.

Charity is also said to be the last and the greatest of the three theological virtues, the other two are faith and hope. So be charitable, love your neighbour as much as God loves you.