This month in our “Year of Charity,” we are going to explore, ponder, and live “Charity is not puffed up.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think about not being puffed up, I immediately think of pride. E.T. Benson said, “Pride is the universal sin.” Do you agree with that? I do. There are some things that I am very proud about: I like to be right. I have a hard time admitting when I’m wrong. I sometimes have a hard time complimenting someone else. (See “Charity Envieth Not.”)

The dictionary defines pride as a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing or conduct.

I don’t think that pride is always a sin. I am very proud of my children and grandchildren. I am proud of myself when I exercise or clean the house or skip that third chocolate chip cookie.

I think pride becomes a problem when we look down on other people or think we are better than they are simply because of something we’ve done. A proud person tends to take all the credit and gives none to God. The Amish are very sensitive to anything that smacks of pride. That is one reason they don’t drive cars or play instruments or sing solos. They believe these things tempt people to be proud. Humility is one of the overarching principles they live by.

How does being proud get in the way of having charity? Come back at the end of the month for a discussion on “Charity is not puffed up.”