‘Now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.’ 1 Corinthians 13:13
Words change their meaning. Charity now means us giving money and provision to many needy causes. In modern translations we have changed the word to ‘love,’ with the text being much used in wedding services.
The word ‘charity’ comes from the Latin word ‘caritas.’ The characteristics of charity/love are described in verses 4-5 of this chapter and along with all well known verses are not always thought about deeply enough ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered , it keeps no record of wrongs.’
Only with God’s help can we reach this standard of loving.