Charity

I would now like to share with you the importance of almsgiving, or giving to those in need. In the Orthodox Church, almsgiving is not just a good deed—it is part of our worship and a command from Christ.

Jesus commands us to give. He said: “Give to everyone who begs from you, and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again” (Luke 6:30). Giving to the poor is a way of obeying Christ directly.

Giving is serving Christ Himself. Jesus made this very clear in the parable of the Last Judgment: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). When we help the hungry, the thirsty, or the stranger, we are serving Christ Himself.

Almsgiving shows our faith is alive. Saint James says: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:15–17). True faith is shown in acts of mercy.

Giving purifies the heart. Jesus taught: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Almsgiving helps free us from greed and selfishness, teaching us to trust God rather than riches.

Almsgiving is pleasing to God. In the book of Tobit, we read: “Almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life” (Tobit 12:9). The early Christians took this to heart, seeing charity as part of their salvation.

Giving should be joyful and humble. Saint Paul writes: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). At the same time, Jesus tells us not to boast about giving: “When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3–4).

Almsgiving, fasting, and prayer belong together. The Orthodox Church teaches that these three always go hand in hand. Fasting teaches self-control, prayer draws us to God, and almsgiving expresses love to our neighbor. Together, they form the heart of Christian life.

Almsgiving is not optional—it is part of following Christ. It is how we show love, serve others, and keep our hearts fixed on the Kingdom of God.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

Next Letter: Evangelism