The golden rule as the
thought of Jesus

 
"For the rest, brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Write the same things is not bothersome to me, and it is safe for you." (Philippians 3:1)

All the principles are known. Talk about charity, from the time of Jesus until today, it will always be a matter of arrangement. But that does not stop us to do readings.

Faith is born of humility, hope if born of faith, and charity is the love that sanctifies the faith and hope. So that way charity supports the two columns as a solid foundation, built on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25). Vincentians and spiritists are known to practice material charity. Promote justice and do not steal the ecumenical action.

"All who practice charity are disciples of Jesus, whatever the service they belong to." (The Gospel According to Spiritism, chap. XV, item 10)

Thomas de Kempis draws a line of conduct guided by self-denial:

"Son, come to do before the will of others than yours. Prefer always have less than more. Search always the last place and subject yourself to all. Wish and pray always that you comply fully with God's will. The man who does this enters the region of peace and rest." (Imitation of Christ, Book 3, ch. 23.)

Without self-denial and disinterest there is no charity. Paul shows the difference between beneficence and charity:

"And if I distribute all my goods to feed the poor and surrender my body to the fire, but have not charity, it profit me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13: 3)

Beneficence is to give material things. Charity is something else. Give with respect, caring, selflessness, understanding and forgiveness transforms the give in charity. It is understandable then why Kardec calls beneficence charitably charity material, and pure charity moral charity.

Charity is one of the ways of love. What it can illustrate this kind of love is figure it as being among the brotherly love and a mother's love. Because charity means "affection" and "caring". Whether in words or in deeds, charity will always be present if we seek the source of the heart.

The Spirits' Book, as we read in issue 886, also considers pure charity as moral charity:
 

886. What is the true meaning of the word charity as Jesus understood it? "Benevolence to all, indulgence for the imperfections of others, forgiveness of sins."

Paul tells us to understand the deep meaning and the consequences of charity and to envision all its applications and taking it as a rule, let it guide our steps.

Charity is the antagonist of selfishness.

Take charity as a rule of conduct it means fighting selfishness, just as humility fighting pride. But the key is the practice of self-denial and disinterest, because there is no teaching that can better reflect the thought of Jesus, as, indeed, it tells us the following text that makes up the cap. XV The Gospel According to Spiritism:

"Nothing better expresses the thought of Jesus, nothing sums up so well the duties of man, this divine maxim (Without charity there is no salvation). Spiritism could not better prove its origin than presenting it as a rule, because it is a reflection of pure Christianity." (The Gospel According to Spiritism, chap. XV, item 10)