In this essay I will be looking at how Christianity and charities relate to each other. In the first section I will be looking at what Christians teach, preach and believe about charity.

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Christianity and Charity

In this essay I will be looking at how Christianity and charities relate to each other.  In the first section I will be looking at what Christians teach, preach and believe about charity.  In the second section I will show what Christians actually do and focus on Christian charities.  In the third I will conclude with what I think about Christian charities and how well I think they work.

The foundation of a Christian’s faith and belief is centred on love.  Christians are taught to ‘Love thy neighbor’ (Leviticus 19:18).  I think it would be easy to look at this in the modern, Western world we live in now and take it to literally mean, love your neighbour.  However, considering when this was written, in a time when you could be living 10 miles away from your neighbour, I think that this means that there should be no boundaries on your love which should stretch to cover and care for all of mankind. Agape is the core of all a Christian’s teachings and beliefs.  This means redemptive goodwill towards all people.

‘…to do justice, to love kindness…’ (Micah 6:8)  Christians believe that God is a God of justice and equality, by treating people fairly and going out of your way to show love and kindness to them, you will feel good about it and will be treated in the same way.  

CAFOD believe that ‘all human beings have a right to dignity and respect’.  They think that everybody, no matter what country they live in deserves to be treated the same. Charities give people a chance to avoid losing their dignity by not having to beg for food and being treated as equals.

        

‘And while Jesus was sitting opposite to the treasury, he perceived how the multitude threw money into the treasury, and many rich persons put in much.  And a poor widow came, and threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  And having called his disciples to him, he said, Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath thrown in more than all who have thrown into the treasury:  For they all have thrown in out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty hath thrown in all that she had, all her living’ Mark 12:41-44.  This is saying how it is easy to give a lot if you have it spare, or left over from what you need, but it is far harder to actually give what you need and by doing so you are giving more because you are prepared to give it up for someone else’s sake.

‘No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work,’ Mother Teresa.  By this Mother Teresa meant that you should continue doing what you think is right and believe in regardless of what any other person thinks.

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‘Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.  Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"’ Mark 10:1-23.  To be able to be happy you don’t need to be rich but you need to give what you can to the poor, otherwise your greed becomes part ...

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