Of all the aspects of charity, “Believeth all things” has always been one of the hardest for me to understand.

Isn’t someone who believes all things just a little gullible? I mean, if you believe everything you hear, you might end up owning a nonexistent bridge in Arizona or buying a car that breaks down two days after you get it.

So what does “Charity believeth all things” mean?

This month I would like to explore that concept with you.

In the dictionary, belief is defined as “an opinion or conviction,” or “confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof.” Another definition is “faith.”

“Believeth all things” starts to make more sense to me in the context of faith. I can see how having faith is part of charity. But faith or belief has to be rooted in something true. Superstition is a kind of belief, but it’s not rooted in truth and light and so doesn’t fall under the umbrella of charity.

Two children were talking. One said, “If you hold your breath when you pass a cemetery, you’ll have good luck.”

The other child was skeptical. “Does that really work?”

“It does if you really believe.”

We can and should believe in things that are true even if they don’t have immediate, rigorous proof. We read and study the scriptures because we believe and because we believe they will strengthen our faith and eventually stand up under the rigorous proof of living our lives.

What are your thoughts? Why do you think Paul said that belief is part of charity? Be sure to come back at the end of the month for some of my thoughts and to share your own.