1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Yesterday I left you with a question. That question is answered here in 1 Corinthians 13. What does the requirements of covenant faith have to do with charity? Charity here in the Greek is agape or love feast, literally an endless supply of love. Given that all the other types of love are limited, selfish and conditional, this agape love, one obtained through this faith covenant, is supplied by God Himself.

As this is a comparative between those words in Deuteronomy 15 about lending and forgiveness, it is time to connect the issues between lending and charitable giving. Let us point out the obvious difference first.

Lending has an expectation of receiving back what has been lent. Agape does not. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Forgiveness is only shown to those in covenant relationship. Agape forgives everyone. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Covenant lending does not protect anyone from sinning. Agape does. 1 Corinthians 13:6

Covenant lending does not address salvation. Agape does. 1 Corinthians 13:12

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Read “end of commandment” to mean the goal, a finished product, a level of conversion which is likened to the character and qualities of Christ Himself. Being transformed and conformed is not instant but rather takes a lifetime of living by faith. In this God is gracious and merciful to keep us and protect us throughout the process. Things that were not given to covenant lenders.

Deuteronomy 15:7-9 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee.

Do read this and think this is charitable giving? It is easy to see that because we do not live this way any longer. This is better described as covenant lending. It begins with examining the life prescribed by God for His people who lived in covenant with Him and each other. These were not outsiders, foreigners, people which were not part of the covenant, for there was no promise of forgiveness to them outside the covenant.

Every seventh year all debt owed to lenders was forgiven. No loan could be withheld if there was a need, a true need. No debt could be collected, no matter how soon the year of release should come from the date of the loan. If you had no true need and made a loan with the knowledge of the year of release coming soon, then you were as guilty of sin as the man in verse 9 above.

We do not live that way anymore do we? This system worked very well because it had God’s blessing and leadership. They lived by the law then, that covenant of law abiding blessing. They could abide by the law so they lost the blessing and lost their blessing.

We now live by the covenant of faith, if you have placed your faith in Christ.

So what are covenant blessing requirements now?