A distinction is to be made between the duties of charity, and
its benefactions. By the duties of charity those exercises of it are
meant, which proceed directly from charity itself. These have to do
primarily with one's occupation. By the benefactions those aids are
meant which are given outside of, and over and above the duties.
--_True Christian Religion, n._ 425
THE ACTIVITY OF CHARITY
Charity is an inward affection, moving man to do what is good, and
this without recompense. So to act is his life's delight.
The life of charity is to will well and to do well by the neighbor; in
all work, and in every employment, acting out of regard to what is
just and equitable, good and true. In a word, the life of charity
consists in the performance of uses.
--_Heavenly Doctrine, nn._ 106, 124
FAITH THE PARTNER OF CHARITY
Neither charity alone nor faith alone can produce good works, any more
than a husband alone or a wife alone can have offspring. The truths of
faith not only illuminate charity, but qualify it, too; and, moreover,
they nourish it. A man, then, who has charity and not truths of faith,
is like one walking in a garden in the night-time, snatching fruit
from the trees without knowing whether it is of a good or evil use.
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