Charity, Duty of

Charity is the act of giving something of value, usually money, physical property, or time, to a worthy cause or to a person or people in need. Generally, charity is extended to those whom the giver views as less fortunate or those whose cause the individual considers worthy of receiving charity. People living in chronic poverty, suffering from disease, abuse, or other misfortune, and victims of crime or natural disaster are sometimes viewed as especially deserving of charity.

Some social theories posit that the duty of charity is part of the social contract that allows individuals to live together in relative harmony. Each person helps others in times of adversity, knowing that their good deeds will be reciprocated when, or if, necessary. At a minimum, the social contract implies a duty to provide aid in times of emergency. In this regard, charity is a form of social insurance in which a person gives so that others will give to them at appropriate and beneficial times.

Historically, it has been considered a social duty and a moral obligation of the affluent social classes to provide charity to the poor, the sick, the indigent, and others in chronic and acute need. Thus, charity has taken many forms, from cash contributions to charitable organizations, financial endowments of schools and other facilities, to performing many kinds of volunteer work. Involvement in charity work was based on the knowledge that there were others less fortunate than the benefactor and the awareness that those who are more affluent, better educated, or in a higher social class have a specific obligation to behave charitably toward those with fewer resources or a lower social standing.

While charity is seen as a duty, it is not, from a secular perspective, an absolute duty; the social contract does not obligate people to give at all costs. The duty of charity should not place an intolerable burden on a person. Sometimes it is morally impossible to fulfill the charitable obligation—individuals cannot give what they do not have. People are not expected to practice charity when doing so compromises their own survival or that of their families, nor are they obliged to perpetrate immoral or illegal acts in the name of charity.

In the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), charity is the root and foundation of all moral behavior. These major world religions equate charity with mercy and love, while also stating that every other virtue relies to some degree on the ability to behave charitably. They further identify forgiveness as an act of charity toward a person who has done wrong. Charity is an individual responsibility and a form of ministry through which observant Jews, Christians, and Muslims may express their faith.

Charity is one of the principle tenets of Judaism. Jewish theology equates charity with mercy and graciousness. It is expressed by the Hebrew word yadid, combining two Hebrew characters—yad (hand) with dod (loved one). The definition of charity in the Jewish tradition is extending a hand of friendship to another for one's own good and for the benefit of others. Charity is a mitzvah (pl. mitzvoth), a commandment, good deed, and source of joy, which blesses both the giver and recipient. Mitzvoth are pleasing to God and beneficial to the world at large. Judaism emphasizes mitzvoth as a way to achieve self-improvement.

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