Read

Proverbs 20

One of my favorite aspects of the Christian faith is its emphasis on helping those in need. Jesus continually reached out to the less fortunate and the biblical mandate is for us to do the same. One of the best ways for us to distinguish ourselves from the rest of the world is to live like Jesus did, showing compassion to people without expecting anything in return.

This has been a hallmark of the Christian faith since the earliest days of the Church. In fact, one of the best commendations of Christianity came from one of its biggest critics. The Roman Empire persecuted Christians for hundreds of years before Emperor Constantine embraced the faith and legalized it in 312 AD. He ruled until his death in 337 and was succeeded by three sons, who ruled in various succession until 361, when Constantine’s nephew, Julian, rose to power.

Julian had lived as a Christian for the first 20 years of his life but was then converted to paganism. Upon his ascension as Caesar, Julian determined to use his position to reestablish pagan ways throughout his empire. That meant, of course, that Christianity had to be diminished. Julian realized, however, that persecuting Christians outright would only strengthen their faith, so he instead merely oppressed them in various ways that were designed to limit their ability to worship.

This, of course, didn’t work. People continued to convert to Christianity, in part because of the way the Christians reached out to them in love and charity. At some point in 362, Julian wrote to Aracius, the high priest of Galatia, to instruct him to be more charitable to the poor. Julian had allocated a certain amount of corn and wine each year for Galatia, and he told Aracius:

I order that one-fifth of this be used for the poor who serve the priests, and the remainder be distributed by us to strangers and beggars. For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galilaeans support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. Teach those of the Hellenic faith to contribute to public service of this sort, and the Hellenic villages to offer their first fruits to the gods; and accustom those who love the Hellenic religion to these good works by teaching them that this was our practice of old. (Source: quotepark.com)

Those “impious Galilaeans” were Christians, and Julian could easily see that Christianity was flourishing largely because its message was being enhanced by a new model of charity. Previously, charity was given by people who desired to make themselves look good, and it was done knowing that the receiver would be indebted to the giver in a way that could be returned later. The poor had nothing to give, so there was little reason to help them. Christians cared nothing about getting something in return, so they targeted their charitable efforts at those who needed it most – and could never return the favor.

How did Julian’s plan work? It didn’t. The emperor’s efforts were still designed to curry favor with the public, and plying them with corn and wine didn’t really make much of an impact in terms of getting them to embrace pagan ideals and ways. Even if his plan could have worked, Julian didn’t get much time to see it through. He died from an injury sustained in battle in June 362 and was replaced by Jovian, who restored Christianity to its favored status.

So many people feel generous at this time of year, and it’s natural to want to bless those less fortunate than ourselves during the holidays. But Christian charity should be a way of life that extends beyond the span between Thanksgiving and Christmas and throughout the entire year. Christian charity should flow out of our love for Christ, and it should be an extension of His nature within us, just as our arms are an extension of our body. Our hands were designed in part to reach out and receive things that we need – food, water, money, warmth, love. But they can also reach out to impart all of those same things to people who lack them.

During this season, let your faith shine to those you encounter by being a person who gives. And once the season ends, don’t pack that giving spirit like holiday decorations, but instead continue to shine His love through Christian love and charity.

Reflection copyright © 2024 08Doug DeBolt.