We all want to help. But, most of us have limited funds. Even as an advisor/director of trusts, there never are unlimited funds to help every charity that deserves it. (Professional advisors- who we do not employ- never answer that question directly, either. Instead, they offer you categories of charities that meet their specifications. You still have to choose!) How do you decide?
Let’s say we have $ 1000 to give. Giving to Mazon or SOME would feed some 660 hungry folks or provide medication for year for 5 people, or 200 bags of emergency groceries. It would support transportation for a kidney patient for a year, or perhaps cover the electricity for a day at BAM.
Which is better?
Really- none is better- except to you. Because the “most good” is in your eyes! After all, maybe that $ 1000 could also be used to help a struggling musician cover his/her expenses for a month so that a new symphony could be written- that would please millions of folks over a few years.
It gets back to our definitions of risks and benefits. (Do you put on a helmet and gloves every time your ride your bike? Do you never cross the street, except at crosswalks? )
Now, I can tell you that spending money in developing countries goes further. Maybe you could feed 6000 instead of 600 folks with that money. But, do you feel better knowing you helped someone you might see on the street, instead of for someone you will never know?
You cover a lot of good thoughts here. Risk that your funds are used well, helping something/someone close by verses overseas, etc.. My dad always said charity begins at home and this was mostly in response to the pressure he felt his Catholic church putting on the congregation to donate and not being certain of how money was then managed. I find I donate more to local causes then to international ones and certainly not to anyone who calls from a call center. I’m more inclined to give canned goods to a homeless shelter or bags of dog food to the SPCA.
Alessa…
I agree we need to help at home. But, I worry that means that those hurt by the Tsunami in Thailand would be left with nothing. and, others…
So, I split my causes. Which may mean I provide less benefit that if I didn’t, but I do the best I can…
Roy, when I was growing up Tzedakah just meant putting money in a special can. There was no other explanation given to us kids. I also heard it called charity box, but still no explanation. I have had to struggle with the term charity as an adult. But I couldn’t see someone in need that I could help and say he brought this upon himself so I will not help him. This seems to be what you mean by justice. I can’t judge this person and decide to stay my hand from him even if I know for sure that he did bring it down on himself. The SB is the only judge in cases like this. My obligation is to help any that I can; and if I can’t, to say in my heart that I wish I could help.
When it comes to deciding what people to hang out with, what entertainment to be engaged in or what I can choose to do or not, that is where my judgement is called for. When Joshua made the comment to choose what path we wanted to take and that he was going to choose to follow the Lord, that is the kind of judgement I prefer to make. I choose to be fair, right and moral in my dealing with others. I don’t judge others for what I perceive them to have done.
The only time I think that I would be given divine permission to enact judgement is if I were part of a jury during some sort of trial. I have never been picked because I always mention jury nullification and they can’t get me out there fast enough.
I wish I could help everyone in need, but at this point in my life I barely have enough for my sister and me. That’s part of the reason I write or post articles for Sequoia. I offer help and hope to more people that I could reach any other way.
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It is a difficult choice, Ann…
And, yes, many children only are taught the concept of dropping coins in a box (or metal container…)
the rules. Then, once a month, we opened the containers and put the coins into those paper sleeves (after counting them). We then had a family “meeting” to decide which charity got the money- which was doubled (i.e., if there was $15, a $ 30 donation was sent). it taught them coin skills, counting skills, and helped them discern which groups needed help and why…
The great physician, teacher, and rabbi, Rambam, taught that there were different degrees of charity- form giving to a person, giving to a person who knows you not, giving to one you know not, to teaching others skills and helping them obtain employment so they need no charity… That’s also what, at least, I taught my children, too.
And, I wish I were a rich man, biddy, biddy, biddy, bum… so I could fund all those in need…
Great food for thought. I always prefer helping people at home and we always give to Greenpeace and a local charity that is cleaning up the rivers in Toronto. We have a lot of scammers that come door to door with bogus charities, so I am careful.
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As I said, Carol, there is no “answer”. One- like you, chooses where they feel their time, money, and talents would do the most good.
Of course, taking the money you thought would go to charity and spending it in Las Vegas or Atlantic City won’t fly…
I was just stopped in the Walgreen’s parking lot by a kid asking me to donate to his cause so he could go to another country. I had no idea if his cause was legitimate or if it would help anyone other than him. People have to be very careful about how they give, which might be why many are more at ease to donate locally. Giving to benefit others is often a very personal choice based on sufferings of those we know and love. If we can keep others from suffering the same fate as our loved ones, then we might choose that charity. It is so important to know if our dollars are being used as efficiently as possible, and not wasted on administrative fundraising fees.
I get very nervous as to these pitches, too, Suerae.
I generally do round up when asked at the grocery store or some vendors on the web (the ones I trust).
I used to give to every Tom, Dick, Nancy, Sue when approached in Israel- but decided that was not the way I wanted to go anymore.
I don’t give to a slew of “famous” charities, since they employ 20%, 30%, 40% off the top for administrative affairs, which means my money is not getting to where I want..
Whatever you do, I think that it is important to do something. It might be giving money to a charity or volunteering in a community. As long as you do something to improve the situation, you are making this world a better place.
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I’m with you on that, Muriel. It’s up to us to make this place just a little bit better!