UNCONDITIONAL CHARITY

Nwanyanwu Chris

Man ontologically is a product of charity. The creation of man is born out of God’s unconditional love for man. His life was never bought by the parents but was freely given to them by God without any condition in the strict meaning of the term. From birth, the parents take care of him. They provide all his needs as much as they could. The ones they were unable to provide, it makes them feel sad. But all things being equal, the child’s needs are met.

As man grows, God adorns him with some qualities and gifts. God gives him the gift of beauty, intelligence, material possessions, etc. Although man on his part does his best to develop these gifts, the strength and all it takes to do that are gifts from God, which were given unconditionally. Thus, we can say that all that man has are gifts from God which are based on the unconditional charity of God.

Ordinarily, having received freely all these gifts, it follows that they be given out freely to others just the same way God has given them. The various gifts God has given to man are meant for distribution to others freely and unconditionally. Hence, all those who in one way or the other lack some of these gifts should be assisted to have them or make use of them. Besides in the field of profession and occupation, the gifts of God ought to be distributed unconditionally.

Unfortunately, outside the ambience of profession and occupation, the gift of God is sold in the name of charity. Before one is assisted with his work, he must make a promise of what he will give in “appreciation” for the work that will be done. If he cannot make the promise, then the whole process of rendering assistance will never begin. Even when it has begun and completed, it will never be received by the owner; because the promise has not been kept. And if he fails to keep to the “forced agreement” with the one helping him, he loses the whole thing. Why do some students offer conditional assistance to their colleagues? What a Conditional Charity!

Charity based on concrete condition is never charity! An act of assistance to any one can only qualify for charity if and only if it is done without any condition. What can man actually call his own? What can he say that he has provided for and by himself alone? Why will one sell the gifts that are by nature “Not For Sale”? Any form of assistance that is conditional is never charity but business.

Charity in its real meaning is void of conditions. Our gifts must be used for what they are. They are gifts from God to us and from us to others. The gift of God remains a gift and should be treated as such. We must reciprocate the charity we receive from God and other people; by extending our unconditional hands to others. This is required of every human being. As Catholics, the season of lent expects more of this from us- Unconditional Charity.