So, for Christians, the word Charity usually has two meanings:
1. Liberality to the poor, consisting in alms giving or benefactions, or in gratuitous services to relieve them in distress.
OR
2. In a more particular sense, love, kindness, affection, tenderness, springing from natural relations; as the charities of father, son and brother.
(Both of these are from Websters 1828 Dictionary)
So in case no one understands 1828 language, I'll paraphrase. ;)
It either means you give charity to the poor, by donating things that they are in need of, or, it means we just have pure love for them. (Like the PURE LOVE of CHRIST)
BUT! I realized something. One form of CHARITY is not complete with out the other.
The bible dictionary explains this nicely:
"Charity The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds of benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive (1 Cor. 8:1; 13:1–4, 8; 13; 14:1; Moro. 7:47)."
So when we have Christ's charity, then we automatically want to give to the poor, so it's like a motive. One Charity is not complete with out the other.
For instance, lets say that someone decided to give to the needy (in any form or fashion). But its out of obligation not out of pure love. Usually the people your helping can tell if it's out of love and kindness or out of some other selfish motive....
One Charity Is Not Complete With Out The Other...
Quote to wrap everything up: “A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”
― Jack London
