Does Charity Really Begin at Home?

Soup kitchens, homeless shelters, food banks, helping a neighbor clean out gutters, giving money at the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas, food stamps, WIC, low-income tax credits and low-income housing are all examples of man helping man.  It is people reaching out to people who are less fortunate, going through a rough time, or unable to help themselves.  Some call it social programs, others call it community help, while still others call it a moral obligation, but whatever you call it, its is charity.

My purpose is a simple one.  I want you to explore your feelings about charity and give you some of the differernt options for participating.

First of all lets define charity...  Websters Dictionary on-line defines charity as...

char·i·ty

1. generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless: to devote one's life to charity.

2. something given to a person or persons in need; alms: She asked for work, not charity.

3. a charitable act or work.

4. a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: He left his estate to a charity.

5. benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor: She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity

The bible refers to charity (depending on your translation) as works, deeds, or acts.  Matthew 6 talks about doing charitable works and not being boastful or making your acts known, while 1Corinthians 13, talks allot about love and how charity is part of love.  There are so many references to charity in the bible, I cannot cover them all in this post. So, God is pretty clear on the fact that he expects us to care for one another, love one another and charity is part of that love.

The Federal and State Government are empowered by us to take money in the form of taxes and fund organizations and programs, such as food stamps, women-infants-children (WIC), and in the form of low-income housing to help those that cannot afford a house. There are many more of thise social programs, but I wanted to cover the easiest to identify.  Even our local townships have a fund set aside for poor relief.  All funded with tax dollars.  George Bush the first, gave a great speech about a thousand points of light.  The cruxt was to get people to serve and help charities.

So, now that we have established that all of us participate in charity either voluntary or involuntary.  The question becomes what is the best way to perform charity.  Is it better to have a portion of our money taken in the form of taxes to help people, or is it better to support our local charities to help people.  Both methods help people but which one does it more efficiently and closer to the definition of charity.

I will first delve into the public side of charity, the government side.  Currently our government is spending money faster than we as a people can earn it.  The "entitlement" programs are growing at a rapid pace because of our poor economy and are now a topic of discussion.  Government programs have a few layers of management involved.  This reduces the actual amount of money that actually gets to the those that need. There are literally thousands of people getting paid to administrate the food stamp program. Those are relatively high paid jobs as compared to what people are paid working at Wal Mart, and those jobs come with benefits, insurance, retirement and more.  So the 40 million people who need food stamps are getting less money.   As a guideline, we are told not to give money to charities that have an administrative fee of more that 5%.  Unfortunately the government does not comply with this guideline, but I have no choice but to support that charity.  In the case of food stamps, there are federal, state and local people all drawing salaries from the program.  Many off the same money.  While government charity does serve a purpose and do good works, they are very inefficient in doing so.

Now onto the the private sector,  the 501c3 corporation, or non-profit as many of us know it, is sometimes confused with charity.   All charites are 501c3's, but not all 501c3's are charities.  Seems complicated and in terms of supporting those true charities, it becomes a maze to determine which ones are charities and which ones are just fronts for people taking your money and pocketing it.  For all the confustion, true charities, that fall into the 5% administration costs are by far the most effective way to get money, goods and services to those in need.  Since many of these charities are local, the connection between giver and receipiant is very evident.  Habitat for Humanity homes are an example of this.  Volunteers from the community donate time, talent and money to build a home for a deserving person who needs help.  It is a direct way to see the effects of charity in a community.  Local churches hels their communities, by hosting food banks, raising money for those in need and having "work days" to help those repair or clean their homes. They also provide services, such as counseling, transportation of elderly, and daycare as well.  Another example of a more one on one giving.  In other words giving with accountability.   While private charities are a maze, the good ones are the most efficient way to help those in need.

Whether you are a big proponent of government social programs, or a big proponent of local charites, the end result is that both groups want to help our fellow man.  As a Christian, I do have some affinity for local charitable giving and the art of tithing, that is the act of giving of your first earnings to the chruch.  While I have my own thoughts on what the bible teaches in amounts and types of giving, there is no doubt that the bible teaches charity and kindness to each other and our communities.  Nothing makes me happier than to be able to help another person, quietly and directly without need for recognition. 

My favorite charity story, has to do with helping a mother with 4 kids at a local McDonalds.  I didn't know her or her family.  It was very evident though that she was not having a good day and as usual the kids were helping to make it a little more difficult.   After getting the orders placed for everyone, she begins to dig for her wallet, in her purse, while balancing a two year old on the other hip.  The more she digs, the more she realizes that she forgot her wallet at home.  So she begins to dig for the loose change and other money in the bottom of her purse.  She comes up with some money but not enough for the stop.  She looks at the counter person and tells them that she cannot pay for the food and she is sorry.  The kids begin to ask mom about why they are not going to get lunch.  The counter person is looking annoyed and it is uncomfortable for all those involved.   I reached into my pocket and gave the money to the counter person and told them to complete the sale.   The mom was very defiant, telling me that it was ok, and that she did not want to put anyone out.  I told her that I had kids, and I understand how hard that can be.  I told her to take her kids to lunch and if she ever had the ability to help someone else in the future, just pass it on.   She finally gave in, said thank you, and then proceeded to the playground area.  That felt good.  Really good.  Did I ever know her or meet her again?  No.  But, I didn't care, I was able to help another human being with a simple act.  Did I ask for notoriety or fame, did I get all puffy chested as if to say, "Look at Me.. I am great!"  No, because I didn't need it.  That simple thank you and seeing the look of relief on her face was more than enough.

My local church takes mission trips to central america, regularly to help a village, both medically and construction wise.  Those that participate come back amazed and I am sure full of the same warmth I felt that day, only on a cosmic scale.  These people are to be commended, and their actions emulated.  Not just in going to a foreign country to do work, but giving unselfishly of themselves to others.

To me that is charity.  Not these grandios programs and projects. It is one on one, helping people and families that we come in contact with as the need arises. I do not get that same feeling of warmth from paying my taxes, because it is not my choice but my obligation.  The definition of charity is generous actions to help aid the poor. To me the word generous means voluntary.  So, in my case, charity does begin at home and is probably best done that way.