'Charity begins at home' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view...

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

‘Charity begins at home’

Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view…

Before we can begin to answer this question, first we must define charity. The dictionary definition shows charity to be the giving of help, money etc. to those in need; organization for doing this; the money etc. given; love, kindness; disposition to think kindly of others. Another popular idea is that charity is an attitude, it is about care and sacrifice and sharing. It is often about putting others first, I believe this to be a good description as it talks of care which is the whole reason for giving, as if the person did not care why would they give at all, unless they were doing it only to make themselves feel better, which is not the right attitude.

Also we must define what we mean by home. In this question home is meant to represent our country as a whole.

Many religious groups believe that they should work towards ending poverty. And help others to improve their living standards.

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Also we must define what we mean by home. In this question home is meant to represent our country as a whole.

Many religious groups believe that they should work towards ending poverty. And help others to improve their living standards.

The Christian ideas on charity very much support this (Acts-2: 44-45) “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as he had need” This is showing charity through the giving of possessions and money. Very much like the Charities we have today (Christian Aid) and (CAFOD) supplying poverty stricken countries with medical supplies, food, blankets, transport, building materials and other much-needed supplies. But Charities like these could not operate without the financial support given by England’s population (along with other countries). This financial support is achieved through actions; like putting a few coins into a charities collection pot. So if we trace this financial support back to it’s source it shows that charity does begin at home through small charitable actions from people like you and me.

One of the most important of the Ten Commandments is “Love your neighbour as yourself” This Christian belief shows another way in which we can perceive charity to begin at home. Through everyday acts of kindness to our neighbours (fellow people). Not through giving out large amounts of money or giving all of our possessions to charity. But simple charitable acts like giving the time to listen to someone, or showing friendship to someone who’s feeling down. And as the quote says we should love our neighbour as ourselves and as we know we enjoy being happy we should want for them to be happy to.

Another Bible quote showing the different types of charity and how a small action can do so much is (Matthew 25: 35-36) “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, 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, whatever you did here for anyone of my brothers, however humble you did it for me”

All these charitable acts can be performed by anyone and all of them start on a small-scale, at home.

So in answer to the question, I would have to say yes charity does begin at home.