Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

[miclason]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

Noone is so poor that they cannot give to others!...now, understand that I'm not only talking about $$ here!!...
Just to give you an example, at what was one of the worst emotional crises of my life, at a stop light, a little homeless kid came up to me asking for money and/or food...I didn't have any, and told him Sorry, next time!...I felt heartbroken (not only for my own situation, but also because I couldn't giv the child anything...) I imagined it must have shown, because the kid just put his head through the window and gave me a light kiss on the cheek...It was just what I needed to feel comforted!...so, he had no money, no food, no shoes, not even a full shirt on his back, but he had enough kindness to give to a stranger!

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

Aww, that is soo cute!

I always think of those stories where the 'hero(ine)' has a small lunch and shares it with the stranger (who is really a richperson/magic) The part that really struck me is the willingness to share, when that left both with not enough? (or might have).

Especially when I know full well I have eaten more than I need...

[asha]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

I certainly respect those that so freely give to help others. It takes a lot of faith to do that each week for years and years.

Serious question though. Do people that give to their churches really know and/or agree with where their money is going? Would God approve of millions of dollars going to lobby for a ban on gay marriage, rather than helping those who are dying in Africa? Is it morally right for Rev. Smith and Rev. Jones to have the best houses and cars in town? Is it right to build these massive megachurches with video and sound systems in the 7-figure range while down the block a woman is starving to death?

(from a committed Christian)

[cschin4]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

If you are not in the habit of giving and of a generous nature, it is doubtful that you will then donate $1M to the church at the end of your life. The only time you have is NOW. Better to donate now, have it used for immediate needs, than to wait for some imaginary time in your life when you are "set".

[b4freedom]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

Just to give you an example, at what was one of the worst emotional crises of my life, at a stop light, a little homeless kid came up to me asking for money and/or food...I didn't have any, and told him Sorry, next time!...I felt heartbroken (not only for my own situation, but also because I couldn't giv the child anything...) I imagined it must have shown, because the kid just put his head through the window and gave me a light kiss on the cheek...It was just what I needed to feel comforted!...so, he had no money, no food, no shoes, not even a full shirt on his back, but he had enough kindness to give to a stranger!

Where was this? And, it's kind of a pathetic story for several reasons: One, you consider a homeless kid coming up to you and asking you for money is an "emotional crises". Two, that you needed to feel comforted.

Did you wash your cheek? I would have. Did you tell him to get a job? I would have.

[b4freedom]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

If you are not in the habit of giving and of a generous nature, it is doubtful that you will then donate $1M to the church at the end of your life. The only time you have is NOW. Better to donate now, have it used for immediate needs, than to wait for some imaginary time in your life when you are "set".

Maybe not a church. Perhaps a university (like BYU) that names a building after me.

[boefixepa]

Re: Why you shouldn’t give to charities… …until you retire or die.

Giving has to devloped as part of your character or nature. To say you have nothing to give, espacially if you live in the US or another developed nation, just shows you have no idea how good you've got it.

Experiment with going without, volunteer in a crisis center, battered women's shelter, homeless shelter etc. Yes, many are there by the consequences of their own choices, but maybe they were never taught to think differently. It's really hard not to judge, but you have to teach yourself to see beyond the circumstance and love the person. American's are by nature very judgemental and it's very hard to set that aside and love the person, but by so doing you learn to do what you can, give what you can, help where you can. It is something we must teach ourselves, and so worth it! There is good in everyone.