Take Note Podcast

Have Not Charity

I Corinthians 13:1-8

• Sometimes, believers in Christ, endeavoring in gospel ministry
• Believe eloquence of speech is enough
• Captivating illustrations are enough
• An informed and dynamic presentation is enough

• But to accomplish the purposes of God in the world
• To reach those He intends for us to reach
• The Bible makes it clear these things are not enough

• In fact, our passage of the day has perhaps the most well-known statements on the matter
• Some you will probably recognize
• It says our speaking, our gifts, our understanding, and even our faith mean nothing
• If we "Have Not Charity"
• Which is our theme
• From I Corinthians 13:1-8

• There is a long list of attributes a believer in Christ can have in this text
• They are very good attributes
• Those we would, in most circumstances, respect
• That the Bible simply declares "nothing" here

• It says, if we have them, but don't have charity
• We are nothing
• And that is exactly what it means

• God has a very low opinion of human talents and abilities
• That are not backed up by something deep and abiding like love for our fellow man
• Love He has commanded us to have for people

• This passage couldn't really make it more clear
• Let's read these eight verses, then have a closer look…

I Corinthians 13:1-8

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

• There are a lot of details to discuss from this text
• We'll begin at verse one…

I Corinthians 13:1

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

• We can speak in different languages
• We can even speak with the language of angels
• When we speak, we can be good at it
• We can compel others
• We can inspire them
• But if we have not charity
• It's not good enough

• But, what is charity?
• It is love
• The kind of love that does not have regard for the loveliness of the person loved
• It is a good will and benevolence
• A selfless love
• One that gives

• If we don't have that kind of love
• The best of our communication is more like noise
• Sounds from instruments that are not meant to be played solo

• When we are ministering to people
• This is not what we want
• We want our words to mean something

• We can have other attributes too…

I Corinthians 13:2

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

• We could have prophetic powers
• Or understand mysteries others can't understand
• Or have "all knowledge"
• Or even have faith that could move mountains

• That sounds like a lot
• Those are attributes far beyond our own
• Even far beyond the best ministers we can name or imagine
• But if we had them, but not love, we would still be nothing

• This may be a startling revelation for those of us who rely on talents and experience
• God expects something deeper
• Something genuine toward the people He sent His son to die for

• What if we sacrifice for God and others?

I Corinthians 13:3

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

• Selling everything to feed the poor seems like a loving act on the surface
• According to this, not always
• And we can be martyrs
• Burned at the stake, presumably for what we believe or teach
• And have not charity

• Therefore it profits nothing

• Our motivations are important
• When ministering to others, love is key

• Speech is not the main thing
• Understanding is not the main thing
• Faith is not the main thing
• Even selfless sacrifice is not the main thing
• Love is the main thing

• A sincere care and concern for people is vital
• Good will towards, a benevolence for, and a delight in others is required
• Beyond the other things mentioned in the text

• What does this kind of charity look like?

I Corinthians 13:4

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

• This kind of love is longsuffering
• It is forbearing and patient
• It patiently endures

• It acts in benevolence
• That is to be characterized by or to be given to doing good

• There is no hint of envy in this kind of love
• Envy is a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by (and in conjunction with) a desire for the possessions or qualities of another

• This kind of love does not boast

• Is not inflated
• Or proud
• Or puffed up

• What's more…

I Corinthians 13:5

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

• This vital kind of love is not rude
• It is not selfish, insisting on its own way
• It is not easily made angry or irritable
• And is not resentful or remembering the wrongs done against it

• It is translated charity in our text
• And this is fitting
• Because it is a charitable way of thinking and acting toward others
• Lacking any uncharitable attributes

• There is more about this love we must have…

I Corinthians 13:6-7

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

• We're still talking about love
• It doesn't rejoice at wrongdoing
• But rejoices in the truth

• It never gives up on people
• Never stops trusting
• Never loses hope
• And never quits

• Beyond what we communicate in the world
• Beyond how we act and react
• And beyond even the greatest of attributes we hold
• We ought to have this kind of love

• Because…

I Corinthians 13:8

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

• The gift of prophecy
• The gift of speaking other languages
• Even the gift of knowledge will come to an end
• But love does not
• It doesn't fail

• If we love in this way
• Our usefulness in ministry will be deep and long-lasting
• It will bear eternal fruit in the lives of those we love

• We must love others