Charity or the Absence Of
By G. Neil Armstrong
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 there is a list of examples that we can read of many things that touch our hearts. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Verses 1-13 continue the list of only some of the beautiful things in this world. All of these are without any positive result if it is absent of charity.
None of these things are bad, not in and of it’s self. No matter what list we make, the substance of such a list is or is not a bad thing. Without charity, each or all is nothing. The nothing in this context is of no good, and absence of good is not good. Therefore charity profits, or is the source of all profit, or gain. Godly gain is the only gain that matters.
Anything that seems like gain, but is absent of charity is not Godly gain and not only becomes corrupt and decays, but also causes he who possesses such to become corrupt and decadent.
In one strong sense, 1 Corinthians 13 is telling us that any gain that is not for the purpose (directly or indirectly) of giving away, is the gain of an instrument of self-destruction. The very thing that is intended to bring life abundance can in sharp contrast bring to affect that which will steal, kill, or destroy.
To love is to give. To give is to exercise charity. Charity and love is one and the same. Anything else is that which is not of God. Therefore love. Love unconditionally and love without limits. The greatest of these is charity.
