In Christian ministry our speaking, gifts, understanding, and even our faith mean nothing if we have not charity. We discuss what that means in this episode.
You can play, download, or read the transcript of this Take Note Podcast below.
Download the Have Not Charity mp3
Have Not Charity
I Corinthians 13:1-8
- Sometimes, believers in Christ, endeavoring in gospel ministry
- Believe eloquence of speech is enough
- Captivating illustrations are enough
- An informed and dynamic presentation is enough
- But to accomplish the purposes of God in the world
- To reach those He intends for us to reach
- The Bible makes it clear these things are not enough
- In fact, our passage of the day has perhaps the most well-known statements on the matter
- Some you will probably recognize
- It says our speaking, our gifts, our understanding, and even our faith mean nothing
- If we “Have Not Charity”
- Which is our theme
- From I Corinthians 13:1-8
- There is a long list of attributes a believer in Christ can have in this text
- They are very good attributes
- Those we would, in most circumstances, respect
- That the Bible simply declares “nothing” here
- It says, if we have them, but don’t have charity
- We are nothing
- And that is exactly what it means
- God has a very low opinion of human talents and abilities
- That are not backed up by something deep and abiding like love for our fellow man
- Love He has commanded us to have for people
- This passage couldn’t really make it more clear
- Let’s read these eight verses, then have a closer look…
I Corinthians 13:1-8
1 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.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 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.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
- There are a lot of details to discuss from this text
- We’ll begin at verse one…
I Corinthians 13:1
1 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.
- We can speak in different languages
- We can even speak with the language of angels
- When we speak, we can be good at it
- We can compel others
- We can inspire them
- But if we have not charity
- It’s not good enough
- But, what is charity?
- It is love
- The kind of love that does not have regard for the loveliness of the person loved
- It is a good will and benevolence
- A selfless love
- One that gives
- If we don’t have that kind of love
- The best of our communication is more like noise
- Sounds from instruments that are not meant to be played solo
- When we are ministering to people
- This is not what we want
- We want our words to mean something
- We can have other attributes too…
I Corinthians 13:2
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- We could have prophetic powers
- Or understand mysteries others can’t understand
- Or have “all knowledge”
- Or even have faith that could move mountains
- That sounds like a lot
- Those are attributes far beyond our own
- Even far beyond the best ministers we can name or imagine
- But if we had them, but not love, we would still be nothing
- This may be a startling revelation for those of us who rely on talents and experience
- God expects something deeper
- Something genuine toward the people He sent His son to die for
- What if we sacrifice for God and others?
I Corinthians 13:3
3 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.
- Selling everything to feed the poor seems like a loving act on the surface
- According to this, not always
- And we can be martyrs
- Burned at the stake, presumably for what we believe or teach
- And have not charity
- Therefore it profits nothing
- Our motivations are important
- When ministering to others, love is key
- Speech is not the main thing
- Understanding is not the main thing
- Faith is not the main thing
- Even selfless sacrifice is not the main thing
- Love is the main thing
- A sincere care and concern for people is vital
- Good will towards, a benevolence for, and a delight in others is required
- Beyond the other things mentioned in the text
- What does this kind of charity look like?
I Corinthians 13:4
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- This kind of love is longsuffering
- It is forbearing and patient
- It patiently endures
- It acts in benevolence
- That is to be characterized by or to be given to doing good
- There is no hint of envy in this kind of love
- Envy is a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by (and in conjunction with) a desire for the possessions or qualities of another
- This kind of love does not boast
- Is not inflated
- Or proud
- Or puffed up
- What’s more…
I Corinthians 13:5
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
- This vital kind of love is not rude
- It is not selfish, insisting on its own way
- It is not easily made angry or irritable
- And is not resentful or remembering the wrongs done against it
- It is translated charity in our text
- And this is fitting
- Because it is a charitable way of thinking and acting toward others
- Lacking any uncharitable attributes
- There is more about this love we must have…
I Corinthians 13:6-7
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
- We’re still talking about love
- It doesn’t rejoice at wrongdoing
- But rejoices in the truth
- It never gives up on people
- Never stops trusting
- Never loses hope
- And never quits
- Beyond what we communicate in the world
- Beyond how we act and react
- And beyond even the greatest of attributes we hold
- We ought to have this kind of love
- Because…
I Corinthians 13:8
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
- The gift of prophecy
- The gift of speaking other languages
- Even the gift of knowledge will come to an end
- But love does not
- It doesn’t fail
- If we love in this way
- Our usefulness in ministry will be deep and long-lasting
- It will bear eternal fruit in the lives of those we love
- We must love others