Charity and Justice

Within the church (and even outside of the church), there are a number of opportunities to 'do good' for others. We can make a serve a meal, visit someone in the hospital or prison, assist with rent or mortgage payments, or facilitate medical treatment. There are just a few of the acts that would fall into the category of charity.

Charity is doing the 'good works' that are needed to assist people with an immediate need. Anyone who has time or money or energy can participate in acts of charity.

Working for justice is a bit different. Justice work involves contacting legislators, lobbying local and national elected leaders, marching in a rally, or supporting a local community organization that empowers low-income people to address issues that impact them.

Charity and justice are different...and yet they are the same. Because hopefully both produce the same or a similar result - to right a wrong, to eradicate injustice and oppression, and to comfort the afflicted. We need both - charity and justice - to be Jesus in the world today.

Charity meets the immediate needs of persons and families; but charity alone does not change social structures that attack human dignity, oppress people, and contribute to poverty. Pursuing social justice helps us change oppressive social structures; but we cannot ignore the urgent needs of persons while we work for social change.

As Americans with our emphasis on "me, me, me," we tend to emphasize charity over justice. We know that we should be doing something (because "the Bible tells me so"), and so we pull out our wallet or checkbook or credit card and we give. That's easy for us. That's comfortable. And in some cases, that's all that is needed. But in many more cases, a greater action is called for. This action cannot be fully effective unless it is a communal effort. But when carried out, it has the power and ability to transform institutional policies, societal laws, and unjust social situations.

Charity and justice - may we work not just to recognize both, but to do both.

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