INTRODUCTION

Charity is the peak of Christianity (2 Peter 1:5-7 [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
See All...). The Bible says that after salvation, charity is to be desired above all other things (1 Peter 4:8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
See All...) and is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
See All...). Yet far too many people, Christians included, know so little about charity. God has not left man without answers, both simple and profound. First Corinthians chapter 13 offers the most vivid description of charity: charity suffereth long and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
See All...). It rejoiceth not in iniquity but in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
See All...). It beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
See All...). Out of all the wonderful things associated to charity, the Bible makes it clear that charity will have no part with envy.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When someone receives a blessing, it is because God allows it (John 3:27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
  See All...; James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
  See All...). We should be happy for others, knowing God wanted them to experience this blessing (Romans 12:15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
  See All...a). We should not envy but be satisfied with what God has given us (Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): If charity is the peak of Christianity, every believer ought to desire it. Since envy hinders charity, it ought to be avoided by every believer. Which of the two do you desire?
• Do you find charity or envy most prevalent in your life? What happens when charity prevails? What happens when envy prevails? As a believer, which of the two is most enjoyable?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to strengthen you in charity.
• Ask God to protect your heart from envy.

HYMN

ALL THAT I WAS

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