18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
-1John 4:18
34And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. (Ether 12:34)
I think one telling test of our own level of charity can be done this way. When we come across a person who is in lesser circumstances than ourselves, what is our initial reaction? Do we feel a sense of pride, that the Lord must love us more or that through our own cleverness we have gotten to a better position in life than the other person? Or do we feel a compassion for them, wondering what we could do to improve their circumstances and make them more like our own? I'm not saying we can do something every time but at least if the thought is there, then certain actions will follow. I think that is charity, feeling a compassion for everyone and wanting to help everyone we see, even if we can't, rather than feeling proud that we have it better. The same principle applies in the other direction. When we come across a person in better circumstances than ourselves, does our pride try to find fault with them and justify why they have more wealth, talent, looks or whatever than ourselves? Or can we simply love them for who they are and rejoice with them as a parent would rejoice for their child's good achievements? I think when we get to that point of loving unconditionally, regardless of circumstance, then we have found charity. We can as John says have love without fear, even the perfect love that casteth out all fear.
I am reminded too of words by CS Lewis. On the question of how much to give, he said, "I'm afraid the only safe rule is more than we can spare. There should be things we should like to buy, vacations we would like to take, but cannot, because our charitable contributions preclude them."
