Charity = Love + Sacrifice

Charity is the "Pure Love of Christ." I can't count the number of times that phrase has been used from the pulpit, in a classroom, or in scripture study. But, what does that really mean? And more importantly, what does that mean to us? I believe the answer lies in another question, "Whom did Christ Love?" He Loved everyone. He Atoned for everyone. He suffered for us, the sinners of this world. He suffered for the people who crucified Him, who spit in his face; the ones who do not truly use and appreciate His sacrifice; those who stomp on His gift. That is who He Loves. Not the nonexistent "perfect" people. He loved when it was most difficult to Love. When it required a sacrifice.

Now, whom do we love? The answers to this question, I believe, mark the separation between the human form of Love; and Charity: the pure, godly, eternal form of Love. Allow me to illustrate this difference:

Let's say it's Saturday afternoon, I'm at home doing a little yard work, and along comes someone who means a great deal to me (my wife, a family member, a good friend, etc.) who is having car trouble in my driveway. This person's battery is dead, and needs a simple "jump start." Obviously, I find some jumper cables and help; out of Love. Now imagine the same problem, with the same person. But this time, it's 2am, I'm in bed, and it requires me to travel 30 miles in order to help. I do it, right? It is more difficult. It requires sacrifice, but I do it; out of something that more resembles Charity.

Now, consider the same scenario. This time, however, the person who needs help is a complete stranger. Because I have a certain Love and respect for mankind, I help this person... when it's easy. But what happens when I have to get out of bed, and travel a little way in the middle of the night. Do I have enough Charity to motivate me in this situation? (This is a rhetorical question that will not be answered here.)

I believe there is a mini judgement that takes place in a person's mind when asked to perform some act of Love. A kind of situational hierarchy. This hierarchy defines certain categories of situations as they relate to certain categories of people. If it ranks within a certain situation compared to a certain people, then we perform said act. If it doesn't, we decline. This ranking system is different for everyone, and changes throughout life. While I believe that there is a judgement that must be made, it is not the one that I have just described. I do not presume to know the basis for this judgement, but there must be a judgement. After all, God doesn't always answer our prayers for help, how we ask, when we ask. Yet, there is always Hope and Pure Love. And, there is always help at the proper time.

How often, however, does this judgement make us selfish with our Love? How often do we negatively judge another who has done wrong to us or others? Do we settle for Loving only those who Love us back? Do we take the easy road, and retract our Love from those who seemingly do not appreciate it? I believe it is necessary to understand that that is who Christ Loved. That is when Charity suffereth long. Is kind and envieth not; is not puffed up; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil; and rejoiceth not in iniquity. (Moroni 7:45) That is when Charity is needed the most. Those are the people that need the Love and Hope of Christ the most. And we must always remember, that we fall into this category as well. We are the sinners of this world. There are times when we don't appreciate the Savior's gift. There was only one perfect person, and it is His Love we are laboring to emulate.

While there have been few men and women to attain this level of Charity in this life, I believe that it is important that we understand what we are striving for, and to determine to be a little better each time we are asked to help.