"I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.
I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.
There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.
Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. The American educator and politician Horace Mann once said, “To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike.”11
One of the greatest features of Christ's life and ministry was just how charitable Christ was. He healed many relieving their illness and pain. He feed the starving multitudes. He did not tell the starving multitudes that effort equals income for if He did then all those people would have been millionaires.
Charity takes more than hard work to accomplish, it takes a kind and large loving heart.
Love is the key to being truly charitable. One cannot begrudge those they serve and still be truly charitable.
Here is a take on charity and penance from the Bagavad Gita:
BG 17.14: Austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brāhmaṇas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.
BG 17.15: Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.
BG 17.16: And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of one's existence are the austerities of the mind.
BG 17.17: This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by men not expecting material benefits but engaged only for the sake of the Supreme, is called austerity in goodness.
BG 17.18: Penance performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor and worship is said to be in the mode of passion. It is neither stable nor permanent.
BG 17.19: Penance performed out of foolishness, with self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.
BG 17.20: Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.
BG 17.21: But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.
Many consider most beggars on the street to be unworthy but this is not backed up by Christian scripture.
"For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?" Mosiah 4:19
I think it's important when offering charity and service that we are all children of God and that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and so we are not better than those we serve.
Jesus was our servant king. He did not rule over us He instead served and ministered to us. He was our steward.
Charity is a corner stone of His ministry and it was as much about a charitable heart as it is about charitable actions.
