When I see people asking for handouts on the street I have faced a quandry about how to react. I can’t give to all of them and I have no desire to give if the gift would be wasted. After reading Mosiah 4 (again) I realize that “I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give” (verse 24) can apply for those who have enough to give but who have already given as much as they are able.
In my case, I no longer need to feel any pang of regret for not carrying cash to give on the streets when I have already given to organizations that are meant to help those very same individuals. In other words, I gave at the office once I received my means without waiting to see who I might meet on the street. I no longer need worry if I should give and take the chance that it would be used wisely by an individual because I have selected only the most effective charitable organizations to receive what I am able to give.
In London we have small armies of charity workers pretending to be your best friends and get a monthly charity donation from you. The only problem is there is so many of them. This makes you more unlikely to stop. On top of this you have ‘Big Issue’ sellers (The Big Issue is a homeless magazine) making you feel like they’ll go hungry if you don’t buy it.
I’m lucky and have money, home and a family. So what do you do when you do want to be generous and thankful for what you have?
I have decided to support either people of charities that mean something to me. The local Church, my daughters school, and UNICEF. Then ad-hoc donations as an when I can afford it or when the need is there e.g. a global disaster.
Good post. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing. I think you are absolutely right to devote most or all of your charitable giving to people or groups that hold some personal meaning for you.