Vice And Virtueنموونە

Today’s vice and virtue are Greed versus Charity. These two concepts are more familiar than other behaviors, but as we examine them more closely, it’s obvious that our surface-level understanding of them does not do these concepts justice. 

Greed is defined as an all-consuming desire to amass physical possessions or wealth. This vice has been the subject of much debate in recent years, especially as social media and internet news makes it easy to see ludicrous and extreme examples. But just because we don’t have an overseas tax fund or houses in Aspen and Malibu doesn’t mean this vice is beyond our pay grade.

At its core, Greed is an issue of idolatry (Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5). Material safety, found in possessions or wealth is Greed’s object fixation. This stems from a lack of trust in God; a belief that He is our provider and that His provision is enough. Instead, Greed tricks us into believing that safety and joy are found in always amassing more; it robs us of the jewel of contentment.

Charity can be understood as agape (unconditional) love. It is the attitude of an outward-looking heart that loves both God and neighbor. Thomas Aquinas called Charity the “most excellent of all virtues” because it is the one most reflective of God. In fact, I John 4:8 can be translated from the original Greek as either: “God is love or God is charity.” 

In human interaction, applied Charity looks like hospitality. In the book Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love authors Pratt and Homan show how hospitality begins with a person’s identity, and “is about the heart made ready.”¹ Our introduction to hospitality begins when God’s love changes us from “used-to-be-strangers” to family. 

Once we understand we are children of a generous Father, our heart’s openness will work toward the same revelation for others. In that way, Charity can reverberate throughout an entire community. “Hospitality is a way to help others discover their true selves. They need to see that precious person reflected in our eyes sometimes, before they can believe it for themselves.”² 

As you study the readings for Day Seven, consider how a lifestyle of Charity can transform an existence of fearful accumulation to one of joyful abundance.

¹ Pratt, Lonni Collins, and Daniel Homan. Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love. Paraclete Press, 2011. Ibid, KL 1905.

² Ibid, KL 2203-2004.