What Charity Does 1 Cor. 16:14 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Paul said, “Let all your things be done with charity.”  This sermon deals with what charity does.  Paul showed us in 1 Cor 13 that without charity we are nothing.  So, it is vital that we do what Paul said.  What charity does:

Charity leads – 1 Cor 14:1 – follow after charity.  The command says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  That command leads you in all your dealings with people.  And if you follow it, charity is manifest in your life [1 Cor 8:3, 2 Tim 3:10].  Paul said thou hast fully known my charity.  Contrarywise, it will be known if you don’t have charity.

Charity unites – Col 3:14 – above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  That makes charity the most important of the things Paul said in verses 12-14.  I have a note in my Bible that says, “Charity is the mortar that holds the stones together in the household of God.

Charity covers – 1 Pet 4:8 – charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  None of us is perfect and charity is what allows imperfect people to become and remain friends.  A friend loveth at all times [Prov 17:17].  Love covereth all sins [Prov 10:12].  Charity that covers a multitude of sins is like an autobiography; you leave out all of the bad stuff.

Charity edifies – 1 Cor 8:1 – charity edifieth.  It is essential that pastors and teachers have charity because they are given “for the edifying of the body of Christ,” [Eph 4:12].  To edify is to instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten or uplift spiritually.  Paul said that having knowledge doesn’t edify; it puffs up.  However, using that knowledge for the benefit of others does edify.  With charity, a person won’t use his knowledge in such a way as to wound the weak conscience of a brother.

Charity protects – 1 Tim 2:15 – she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in… charity.  Generally, women are more susceptible to deception than men [1 Tim 2:14; 2 Tim 3:6].  And a woman is even more vulnerable when she is with child.  She will be protected from deception if she and her husband continue in charity, among other things.

Charity abounds – 2 Thes 1:3 – the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.  Charity should grow.  2 Pet 1:8 – abounding charity helps make you fruitful in your knowledge of the Lord.

Conclusion: so follow charity and let all your things be done with charity.  It will make you the greatest blessing to those you know and it will make you fruitful in your knowledge of the Lord.  That’s what charity does.