Charity? or Business?

“If you’re helping someone and expecting something in return, you’re doing business, not kindness”. I chuckled when I read that one! It was one of those memes being passed around on the internet, author unknown. This is a simple modern-day explanation of what Jesus noted while at dinner in the home of the Chief Pharisee, having observed that only elites and family members had been invited to dine. Given His unique ability to judge the motives and hearts of men, Jesus admonished the host for inviting only those who were actually or potentially useful to him, those who could pay him back in some way.

He then suggested the Pharisee feed those who had no means to do anything for him in return and who could not feed so lavishly with their own resources, promising a reward on the day of resurrection. Luke 14:14. Although this is a timely message for the age we live in, an age of instant, visible rewards and gratiation, it probably will not connect with too many Christians because most are not able to live from day to day with an ongoing view of heaven as their ultimate desired destination. That is a conversation for church on Sundays! Heaven sounds so distant and most of us would rather not think about it, because it makes us uncomfortable. Yet the transient nature of our lives on earth should be in the forefront of our thoughts and interactions because it helps to keep us grounded.

Given that the practicality of inviting total strangers into one’s home is debatable, our world today provides many opportunities to do good  and be generous to those who don’t know us. We must never forget that Jesus is a mind-reader, so while we can fool the world, He gets to know when we are actually being charitable and when we are being purely transactional. Business is rewarded here on earth, assuming one is alive and in a state of health to utilize or enjoy the reward; charity’s reward is deposited in our heavenly account, to be awarded and enjoyed at the final resurrection.

Then you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. And you will be repaid when the righteous are resurrected.” – Luke 14:14