What does Charity mean?

Charity is the action of helping the most vulnerable people, without receiving any material benefit in return. It is common for most people to confuse a charitable act with solidarity and use these terms as synonyms, even though they do not mean the same thing. Solidarity is the mutual collaboration of people who feel compassion for each other and have common goals.

Both charity and solidarity involve positive selfless actions that benefit empathy and are important for society, but they also present marked differences. Beyond definitions, the exercise of charity will respond to the determination and will of each person.

It also happens that charity is exclusively related to non-profit charities. However, this expression has several definitions, including charitable acts from the biblical and social point of view.

Definition of Charity

Charity is providing assistance or help to the most needy people selflessly, through an organization or individually like shlomo Shlomo Rechnitz | LinkedIn.

In other words, a charitable act implies a unidirectional relationship where only the most vulnerable person or sector benefits materially. The charitable person can feel good, happy or useful when performing an action for the benefit of another.

The word charity has its etymological origin in Latin and Greek. From Latin it comes from while from Greek it comes from αγάπη (brotherly love), however, both terms refer to love of God and neighbour.

Characteristics of Charity

It is done selflessly, without thinking of a reward.
It is carried out without ideological importance, nationality or religion.
It is a sincere and voluntary action.
It is an action sensitive to the needs of others.
It can be carried out individually or in groups.
Actions can be performed unlimitedly.
Charities do not need to have professional training.

Examples of charitable acts

Collaborate monetarily with a non-profit charitable association, monthly or in a single payment.
Collaborate with food in community kitchens.
Donate clothing and/or personal items in good condition to Church organisations.
Give money to homeless people.
Give part of your time to teach in youth support centres.
Collaborate in a collection of money for people who suffer from an illness.
Donate money to shelters for dogs and/or cats.
Pay the veterinary expenses of a stray animal.
Help elderly people with reduced mobility by running errands.

Types of Charity

Fraternal Charity according to the Bible

Fraternal or brotherly charity refers to charitable actions within Christianity. According to the Bible, Charity is one of the three theological virtues along with Hope and Faith. Charitable actions as a theological virtue express that love for God must be superior to all things and one must love one’s neighbour as one. same.

Thus, fraternal charity is achieved only through the divine grace of God and not through effort. It demands the practice of good and its fruits are mercy, joy and peace.

also read this Article: Shlomo Rechnitz: Redefining Philanthropy – The Jerusalem Post

social charity

Social charity is the individual actions of members of a society to cover a single need, which benefits a group of people. In other words, a group of people who help to achieve a common good.

This type of charitable act aims to put aside individualism to focus on collective concerns and provide benefits for all members of a community.

If you want to learn other similar topics, you may be interested in knowing more about Solidarity Definition – What does it mean to be Solidarity? and what is gratitude? – Definition and Examples

Importance of Charity

Charity is important on a social level since the most vulnerable people receive help and support, free of charge and disinterestedly. It encourages dialogue to think of concrete and effective actions to combat inequality, recognizing that some of the inhabitants of a society do not have all their needs met.

Many people feel the desire to help, but do not know how to act, which is why charitable non-profit organizations are fundamental pillars in society. These organizations concentrate the collaborations of different people and organize donations to assist the most marginal sectors.

The value of charity on a personal level lies in sharing goods and resources, encouraging generous behavior without selfishness.

Differences between Charity and Solidarity

Solidarity can be defined as the act of collaboration between human beings. It means recognizing and sharing the needs of others, to build social bonds that strengthen communities.

The definition of solidarity can be interpreted in a similar way to charity, however, there are certain differences between the two terms:

Solidarity is reciprocal, all those involved recognize each other as equals and the exchange of assistance is similar for all. On the contrary, a charitable act is unilateral where there is a charitable person who has more and helps the one who has less.
Solidarity enables the creation of a sense of belonging to a community. While charity is an occasional assistance action without the need to create long-term links.
Solidarity recognizes and makes the feeling of the other its own. Instead, in charity, the charitable person is aware of the difference between her own life and that of the most vulnerable person.
Solidarity implies common values, ideas and concerns, while in charity this does not need to happen, since the parties may not be involved on a personal level.

The importance of the value of charity in children

If our goal is for our child to learn values such as sincerity, generosity and kindness, it is necessary that we also take into account the value of charity, which is one of the values most closely linked to kindness. Clarifying what charity consists of and what it represents is a job for parents. Example is always the best way to get children to understand what this word means.

How to teach it to our children?

For Catholics, charity is one of the pillars in the life experience of individuals. The three qualities that every human being should possess, according to Christian theology, are: faith, hope and charity. And within them, charity, the one that comes closest to the individual is kindness. For the Catholic faith, it represents loving God above all things and one’s neighbour as oneself.

By looking in the dictionary, we may find a contribution when explaining to our child what the value of charity consists of. Among some definitions we find these: ‘alms given or help given to those in need’ or ‘an attitude of solidarity with the suffering of others’. In other words, charity is performing an act of solidarity with altruism towards another human being who needs our help. One of the easiest ways to explain what charity is is through example http://www.shlomorechnitz.net.

When the opportunity arises to contemplate a person who requires our help or support, express to your child why that individual is requesting money or food. You need to explain that some human beings require our support and that any gesture on our part can be very useful. Let him be the one to give you a coin or some food.

Charity a value of altruism in children

Being charitable people symbolises being less selfish and putting yourself in the place of others. People who practice charity at the same time are generous. It is a quality that encompasses many others. And although we come to think that children are too young to understand it, the truth is that they collaborate more than we imagine. Surely it does not require too much of them to understand what charity represents.

And if not, contemplate the younger ones. The vast majority of children are moved when they see the other cry or feel bad and even try to help him if he falls. In others, they may share their sandwich if they see that their friend does not have it. And they do it without any interest. Praise this kind of behavior and you will have a generous son for the future.

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What is Charity? – Definition, Characteristics and Examples