The beauty of Charity: more than just a coin in the cup

By Darrion M Narine

Programme Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

When most people think of charity, they picture someone digging through their pockets for loose change or maybe writing a cheque to a good cause. It’s the classic image: you give, they receive, and you both move on, feeling like you’ve done your bit for the day.

This sounds good but as any ‘good’ Catholic knows, charity is far more profound than ‘tossing coins into a tin’. The true beauty of charity goes beyond the act of almsgiving. It’s the spiritual element—the grace that flows from one soul to another, often invisibly—that truly elevates the experience.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Alms are important. Jesus Himself said, “Sell what you have, and give to the poor” (Matt 19:21).

However, charity that’s rooted solely in material-giving risks becoming transactional. It’s easy to feel as though we’re just paying off our spiritual debts in instalments. True charity—the kind that leaves a lasting impact—lives in the space of spiritual engagement, where we not only help others but also help ourselves on the path to salvation.

Here’s where it gets interesting: the Catholic understanding of charity doesn’t let us off the hook after we’ve handed over our spare change. In fact, we are called to a much higher and more demanding form of charity—spiritual charity.

This is the kind of charity that doesn’t always involve money, but instead offers time, love, patience, and encouragement. Think about the Good Samaritan. His charity wasn’t just about binding wounds; it was about binding hearts. He entered into another person’s suffering with compassion and action, reflecting the love of God.

Spiritual charity is about being there for each other in ways that strengthen both parties’ spiritual lives. It’s the quiet encouragement that happens when you remind your friend to attend Mass, even though brunch is calling their name.

It’s when you help someone through a moment of despair by pointing them towards the hope and love found in Christ. And, maybe most importantly, it’s about holding up a mirror to our own lives. When we practise spiritual charity, we are kept accountable for our own journey toward Heaven.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this kind of charity is its ability to create a sense of community, or as the Catholic tradition would say, the “communion of saints”. You’re not just giving something away; you’re building relationships.

And let’s face it, none of us are making it to Heaven on our own. We need each other’s support, guidance, and prayers. It’s a bit like having a gym buddy, but instead of working out your abs, you’re working out your soul. And like any good gym buddy, spiritual charity keeps you on track when you start slacking off. After all, it’s hard to skip spiritual leg day when someone is right there pushing you forward.

So, let’s reframe how we think about charity. Sure, giving to the poor is important, and absolutely, our wallets should reflect our faith. However, the true beauty of charity is in the day-to-day acts of kindness, the small sacrifices of time and ego, and the moments of spiritual connection that help others on their path to salvation—and keep us walking our own.

That’s the kind of charity that makes saints out of us, one soul-saving encounter at a time. And the best part? You don’t even need to dig for change to get started.

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Catholic Commission for Social Justice

Account #: 290 458 025 501

Bank: Republic Bank Ltd.

or you can contact us at:

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