How do we know charity is important for Christians?

The importance of charity in a believer's life is highlighted in 1 John 4:7-8, where it states that anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. This divine love, often referred to as 'agape,' is a hallmark of those who are born of God. The Apostle Paul reinforces this in 1 Corinthians 13, declaring that without love, all religious acts and spiritual gifts are worthless. Therefore, charity is not merely an option but a necessity, as it embodies the essence of God's nature and the transformative power of the Gospel, demonstrating to the world that believers belong to Christ.