Charity Atones for sin
Although the Hebrew Scriptures
explicitly state that feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving
charity to the poor wipes away sins, parishioners are unaware of this central
biblical principle. While Christians are encouraged to give charity, they are not
taught that feeding the hungry atones for iniquity.
Hosea 6:6 and Provers 21:3 state
explicitly that it is preferable to God that one gives charity rather than rely
on a sacrifice. Why don’t Christian ministers teach that giving alms to the
poor wash away sin? After all, this is a core Biblical teaching. The answer is
simple: there would be little need for churchgoers to believe in Jesus if they
were convinced that God would forgive their sins if they gave charity.
Judaism teaches that charity
money was never yours to begin with. Rather, it always belongs to God, who
merely entrusts you with it so that you may use it properly. Hence, it is your
obligation to ensure that it is received by those deserving of it. Charity is
considered to be one of the main acts that can annul a less than favorable
Heavenly decree. According to Jewish tradition, therefore, the spiritual
benefit of giving to the poor is so great that a beggar actually does the giver
a favor by giving a person the opportunity to give charity. (Tovia Singer, Let’s
Get Biblical: Why Doesn’t Judaism Accept the Christian Messiah? 2 vols. [Forest
Hills, N.Y.: Outreach Judaism, 2014], 1:79)
The following table of Scriptures is listed in ibid.:
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Proverbs
10:2 Treasures of
wickedness will not avail, but charity will save from death. Proverbs
11:4 Riches will
not avail on the day of wrath, but charity will save from death. Proverbs
16:6 With loving-kindness
and truth will iniquity be expiated, and through fear of the Lord one turns
away from evil. Proverbs
21:3 Performing
charity and justice is preferred by God to a sacrifice. Hosea 6:6 For I desire
loving-kindness, and not sacrifices, and knowledge of God more than burnt
offerings. Daniel
4:24 (4:27 in a Christian Bible) Nevertheless,
O king, let my advice be agreeable to you. Redeem your error with charity,
and your sin through kindness to the poor, so that your tranquillity will be
prolonged. |