THE word "charity" and its derivatives, "charitable," etc., seem nowadays to be almost wholly restricted to that character of benevolence which consists in almsgiving. To be sure, it deserves far wider application, but the great mass of mankind, whenever they hear the word, are wont to think of gifts to the so called poor. There is no doubt that in the past, and even in the present condition of society, many deserving people have been aided by individual and by organized charity; but it is exceedingly doubtful if the number is much larger than that of the undeserving people who obtain help under the guise of poverty, and this, too, not invariably by ordinary street-beggar methods, but through telling tales of woe to soft-hearted people, and even through the organized charitable institutions themselves. So convinced is one writer of the truth of this statement that he declares, "We are beginning to hear of the science of charity, and it is sorely needed, for old-fashioned almsgiving is a curse."
Now, why is "old-fashioned almsgiving" a curse? Because it is only a palliative, because it does not reach the cause of poverty at all. Worse, it actually makes the last state of the man who solicits and accepts it worse than the first, for it encourages more and more importunate, servile begging, and at the same time undermines the recipient's self-respect and desire to give value for value received. It is a species of parasitism in which the victim does not know that he is being victimized. Reciprocation is a law not only of business but of spiritual affairs as well; so the longer men ask and receive alms, the worse off they become, ethically, morally, and spiritually; and conversely, the less one is given, the more he is forced to develop that species of self-respect which will help him to supply his wants in honorable ways.
Perhaps no better illustration of the application of true charity can be found than that recorded in the third chapter of The Acts of the Apostles. This may be condensed as follows: As Peter and John went up to the temple to pray, they saw, seated near the gate, a lame man, who was carried and placed there daily to beg. When they were accosted by this man, who asked for a gift of money, Peter said: "Look on us. ... Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Then Peter grasped his hand, "and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God."
