Author: Ely Matos — Translated by: Vânia Hudson
Concrete, as many are aware, is, basically, the result of mixing water, cement, stone, and sand. Cement, when hydrated by water, forms a resistant paste that adheres to the stone and sand, creating a monolithic block. The concentration of each element (called trace) is fundamental. As a Civil Engineer who has never practiced the profession, in this brief note, I will compare–strangely–charity with concrete.
Although charity has already been scrutinized in every possible way, here, I will examine it from three perspectives: material, intellectual, and moral.
Material Charity
Material charity, the most widely knownone, discussed and practiced, is the stone of the concrete.
In the concrete, the stone is the largest element, which takes up the most space and stands out the most. Its function is structural, increasing the resistance to compression and deterioration. However, the excessive use of stones creates many empty holes, which end up producing an opposite result, decreasing the resistance.
Likewise, material charity has a structural function to the Spirit. It is that which allows the first experiences of overcoming selfishness and the first notions of what the Good is. Material charity also presents itself in many different expressions, just as stones exhibit different granularity. Moreover, material charity in excess ends up producing voids that need to be filled.
Material charity is, above all, transference. We transfer something that we have to those who do not. In this process, the other person is who benefits.
Intellectual Charity
Hardly anyone talks about intellectual charity. It consists, basically, in you offering your time to teach something to someone–something good and useful, of course. Intellectual charity is the sand of the concrete.
In the concrete, the sand is the element that fills part of the space between the stones. It plays an important role in ensuring the quality of the final mixture. The conditions in which it presents itself impact characteristics such as resistance, durability, and workability of the concrete.
Likewise, intellectual charity has the function of filling the voids left by mere material charity. In many circumstances, knowledge will be more important to the beneficiary in the long run than simple immediate help. It’s the old story of teaching how to fish instead of just providing the fish. Despite this significance, many people do not see lectures, study groups, articles, and books as exercises of charity. But they are.
Intellectual charity is, above all, sharing. We share what we know with the one who does not. In this process, both are beneficiaries.
Moral Charity
Moral charity is everyone’s goal. Summarized in The Spirits’ Book (1) as benevolence, indulgence, and forgiveness, it is actually broader than that. Moral charity is the cement of the concrete.
In the concrete, the cement is the element that provides the necessary properties of rigidity and binding. It fills the spaces left by the stones and sand. Cement is a fine powder that hardens when it comes into contact with water. Once hard, this material does not decompose again.
Likewise, moral charity consolidates the practice of charity by the Spirit. It is the one that grants strength, courage, authority, and balance–essential factors for spiritual growth. It grants the Spirit the strength to overcome the environment’s diversity, courage to overcome its negative tendencies, authority earned through its examples, and the balance needed to make difficult decisions. Once the Spirit begins the true practice of moral charity, it does not return to its previous limitations.
Moral charity is, above all, learning. We offer that which we are to the one who is different from us. In this process, we are the beneficiaries.
What about the Water?
Stone and sand are inert in relation to the water. They simply get wet. It is in the cement that the water causes the chemical reaction that will produce the characteristics of the concrete.
The water is the will. We can perform material charity and intellectual charity moved by will but without achieving any personal transformation. It is in the practice of moral charity that the will shows its strength. That is when we really begin to learn something. That is when it becomes possible to see a change for the better. It is only then that charity reaches its highest purpose. That is when charity becomes concrete.
Reference
(1) The Spirits’ Book. Allan Kardec. Question 886.
Translation
For brazilian portuguese version: http://ematos.net/2020/08/16/a-caridade-concreta/
