My Brothers for the month of March our Education Topic is "Charity".
I decided upon this topic while reading through the Great Light of Masonry, finding
complement and contrast between the Old and New Testaments. Although this writing
only scratches the surface of the subject of charity, hopefully it will whet your
tongue thereby inspiring not only introspection but also action; for without action
charity is but an abstract concept.
As an Entered Apprentice we learned: “…Charity is the chief of every
social virtue and the distinguishing characteristic of Masons…”i We are
instructed by the greatest of Lights of Freemasonry in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that:
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is
charity.”ii We are reminded throughout our Masonic journey that charity
should always be held in the highest regard but what is the meaning of charity;
is charity just the simple act of giving? Is all giving charity? The dictionary
leads us to the following definitions:
1. An organization set up to provide help to those in need.
2. The giving of help, such as money or food, to those in need.
3. Help given to those in need; alms.
4. A kindly attitude towards people [Latin caritas affection].iii
Synonym: Brotherly Love
From the above teachings and definitions we learn of the importance
of charity in relation to Masons and the teachings of New Testament. We have also
learned of a few of the ways in which charity can be expressed. But surely the act
of charity does not end there for if it did an occasional doling out of dollars
or goods might suffice in our bid to be considered charitable. Let us explore a
little deeper the origins of charity.
If we step back in time to the days of Moses and the laws handed down
by God to the Hebrews we find in Leviticus 25:35 “And if thy brother be waxen poor,
and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a
stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.”iv In this verse
God is instructing the Hebrews specifically (and anyone in general that takes to
heart the sacred word) to take care of a brother in need. If we examine closely
the meaning of “…if thy brother be waxen poor” we learn that God is commanding us
to extend a helping hand to our brother even before he becomes destitute as the
word waxen suggests he is merely on the road to ruin but not yet there. Although
the word charity is not found in this passage, the action required is none the less
charitable as defined above.
From early times we now have an idea of how and when we might be charitable
but is that all there is to the story, does it end there? 1 Corinthians 13:3 states
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to
be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”v This verse
too needs an explanation beyond the words as written. In the original Greek text
13:3 the word that was translated as charity is agape which is directly translated
as love. Many Bible sources in fact use the word love in their translation. With
this substitution (or correction) the reading of 1 Corinthians 13:3 now offers a
better understand that the act of charity or giving must be accompanied with love,
which comes from the heart. Some interpretations of this verse and others suggest
that Biblical charity has little to do with the giving of money; the most common
form of charity today.
How much deeper can one’s charity run? What if a person, as recipient
of a charitable offering, is so mired in destitution, so deeply humiliated by his
situation as to be hardhearted towards the offering? The truly charitable may be
summed up in a quote from the early 19th century Unitarian minister J.S. Buckminster:
“The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable.”vi
Does not it take a true act of charity, wrapped only in love, to persists in sustaining
the needy and dejected; in other words an act of Brotherly Love.
Charity and Brotherly Love: arguably the most important lessons inculcated
by the Great Light of Masonry. So significant are these teachings that newly made
Entered Apprentices are reminded throughout their initiation and continually along
their journey to being Raised a Master Mason of the importance thereof. So should
it be with all Masons to openly and forthrightly live a life of charity and Brotherly
Love with all mankind and most assuredly a Brother Mason.
i - Murrow Masonic Monitor © 2005 M:. W:. Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Oklahoma
ii - Pg. 1171, Holy Bible Master Mason Edition © 1991 Heirloom Bible Publishers
iii - Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers
2004, 2006
iv - Pg. 144, Holy Bible Master Mason Edition © 1991 Heirloom Bible Publishers
v - Pg. 1170, Holy Bible Master Mason Edition © 1991 Heirloom Bible Publishers
vi - Joseph Steven Buckminster, 1784-1812, Brattle Street Church, Boston, MA