An outstanding article, by the man who until yesterday, was getting my '08 vote. Tom Tancredo may get my vote, if he can run a good campaign, but it will have to shine. Mike S. Adams is one sharp cookie.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MikeSAdams/2007/01/18/the_ten_commandments_of_charity
Yesterday, I ran a column on panhandlers, which pretty clearly summarizes my feelings about giving money to beggars on the street. Those who wrote to tell me they are superior Christians because they don’t judge people (like I do) are unworthy of a rebuttal. They are free to continue to purchase alcohol and crack for the unemployed and to do it all in the name of Jesus. But those who wrote complaining that I opined on what not to do while omitting advice on what to do are deserving of a follow-up. For them, I supply the following Ten Commandments of Charity. All of them are brilliant because they are not original. They are all based on the conduct and advice of those I respect deeply. I hope they are helpful:
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10 commandments of charity
Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Bro. Curtis, Jan 18, 2007.
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
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We shall find ourselves disagreeing once again.
We don't give solely for the reason of helping someone else. We give to increase our faith. Faith without works is dead. You give with the faith in God that the money will be used to his glory. -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
So what exactly do you disagree with ?
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In Nashville, there is a scam. People stand on street corners with "will work for food" cardboard signs so they can get money from tourists. Locals know to donate to the City Mission.
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
I would find a good Christ-centered church, who supports missions. That's the best charity, IMO. -
I have a step father who has a plumbing business and has gone to panhandlers, in his work truck (advertisements on the sides), and offered work for a day, two days, or maybe even a week to panhandlers doing various choirs such as digging ditches for gas lines, water lines, washing his trucks, etc. and offered quite a bit of money only to be told to go away by the panhandlers. Very few actually accepted the offer to work for pay. I will say those that did accept (maybe 5% out of all of them) were very appreciative and you just knew they were trying to get back on their feet. -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
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Thanks Bro. Yet another gem from you. I read Mike S. Adams all the time but hadn't yet seen this one.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carpro
It appears he did not read the article.
I didn't realize pointing out the obvious was considered antagonistic.:rolleyes:
Touchy, aren't you?;) -
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Scarlett O. ModeratorModerator
Bro. Curtis, thanks for that link.
That is just about the most common sense approach to charity that I have ever seen.
Being charitable doesn't mean being stupid. Just tossing money in the wind, so to speak, and calling yourself charitable isn't wise.
And giving money without investigating where is goes is not being a good steward of your money. And if you give money to a panhandler out of guilt, then you aren't giving in the name of Jesus anyway.
A good rule of thumb if you see a panhandler and you feel moved to help him is to make a quick run by McDonald's or the grocery story and buy him something to eat or run to WalMart and buy him a coat or umbrella.
It's easy to appease your twinge of guilt by shoving a $10 dollar bill in his hand and quickly walking away, but it takes planning, and a conscience, not guilt, to go a buy them some basic supplies and take it to them and ask them if they need anything else.
Everything can't be fixed with money. Not broken marriages, nor out-of-control children, nor the individual who is homeless.
Feed them, clothe them, buy them some gasoline, make a phone call on your cell to the police who can help them find a local shelter, or buy them a motel room for a couple of nights.
But I am of the opinion that just giving money and walking away without knowing if they are substance abusers or not is not wise. It's not that a panhandling substance abuser doesn't deserve any money. They have needs just like everyone else. It's just that you and I shouldn't be guilty of enabling them if they are.
Giving money is the easy way out. It takes all of two seconds. It's really easy to let go of that little green piece of paper and consider ourselves morally superior.
Taking the time to feed them or clothe them exercises our charitable muscles much more effectively because we have to sacrifice our own time and energy. That's what we as a self-centered generation don't want to let go of. -
Great post Scarlett! What I was trying to say, but better!
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It seems there are some who want to ignore dangers in the name of christianity. They want to ignore the very real dangers posed by ungodly religions that want to conquer the world and blow everyone up. And they want to ignor the dangers that are invloved in giving a drug addict cash.
With regards to the first I think many overlook a good question. What was a disciple of Jesus doing with a sword in the garden of gethsemene so as to cut of the ear of the Roman soldier. After all you would thing that at the end of three years with Jesus who supposedly taught that we are not to defend oursleves, one of his disciples would not have a need to carry a sword. The truth is this was never taught. Not even by Jesus.
And with regards to the second, having come form an addictive background and lived on the street cash is never a good idea. And in fact any help for those who are addicted other than in response to an attempt to get away from it can be harmful. any assistance whether it is cash or food always furthers their addiction. Food now means cash later is more free for drugs. Any assistance at all outside of a recovery program always furthers an addicts problem. If you want to ge them into a program you must starve them into one. They mus be broken down to the pint that thye have no resources left. A good biblical example of this is the prodigal son. I do not assume this, it is not just my opinion, it is a fact that I know first hand.
But there are those who want to ignore those dangers in the name of love and christianity or even witnessing. Some times the most loving thing to do is to put the one in need through the most difficult situation. It is not loving nor is it christian to enable an addict or even someone who consistantly makes bad choices. and thos who fall on hard times because of no fault of their own never stay down long.