Zone1 Becoming Rich and Giving it Away vs. Doing Works that Don't Involve Money: Which way is best?

[Mashmont]

I wonder if panhandlers are becoming a thing of the past, because I seldom have cash on me. I have my debit card. I have given to women who look like they are pregnant (while wondering if it was a costume), but my usual rule of thumb is based on the number of people who choose to panhandle for a day's wage, and the number who want it for drugs, alcohol. (There is always the proverbial exception.) What I do, instead, is to immediately donate to a nearby soup kitchen or St. Vincent de Paul. It can be a tough call.

What is not a tough call is lending a hand to someone who is not seeking a hand-out. I once helped an elderly man buy a pair of shoes without him ever knowing I was giving him a hand. I work on keeping an eye out for those kinds of opportunities. (Here I am, Lord. Send me.)

Family comes first. Always, because they are the ones God has put at your door. (And sometimes they are the most difficult, right?) Surplus vs need isn't all that difficult. The only reason to take note of it is to keep oneself humble and to be thankful for that surplus. You never know when you will be the one in need or when you will come across someone in the future that has a great need.




Those questions usually depend on what is happening in my own life. First, ask yourself (and God) what you are giving up in order to earn extra money. That same question should be asked about what are you giving up to personally interact with people. In my life, I substitute teach and visit the elderly. The question I ask myself (and God) prior is, "Am I using my own time, or am I borrowing time/resources I should be spending with a family member?" I'm a big fan of keeping God in the mix because of the amazing things that happen when He is involved.

Also keep in mind Ecclesiastes 11:1 - Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Have you ever tried to do something for God without getting anything in return? I have. He laughs.

Good answers. Thank you. The point about borrowing time is a good one. I also like the Ecclesiastes verse.
Question: What do you mean by "He laughs". Does that mean God is joyful when you do something without hoping for a return?

 

[Mashmont]

Doesn't seem like and either/or choice. Why can't you do both?

I have thought of that. I guess the question is: should big money be part of it at all?

 

[Donald H]

Charities such as churches should handle all domestic programs that the government currently handles. People helping others one-on-one and personally is what Jesus calls for. Such personal connection promotes gratitude of recipient and generosity by donor. It also helps accountability and eliminates big piles of money which invite corruption and waste. We have the technology to match people up. We should do it. But we won't. Why not? it would mean leftwing politicians would cede their power and money source.

I know your bible better than you!

Are you a Christian of convenience who is pretending to not know, or do you honestly not know?

 

[Meriweather]

Question: What do you mean by "He laughs". Does that mean God is joyful when you do something without hoping for a return?

Grin. No, it means that I have never been able to do something just for Him without Him sending more back to me!

 

[Mashmont]

People who make a lot of money and then start giving it away may be in it for recognition on their own psychological needs other than helping the other person really. Sure there are other ways to help according to one's talents, but either way, if you want to know why people are doing it, results will vary.

Giving money for the recognition isn't the right thing. The psychology need part is tricky. For my part, I have to say I really enjoy the process of figuring out how to raise money. Maybe I enjoy it too much. I wish I could say "Oh, I do it solely because I want to help these people". But that's not the case.

 

[Mashmont]

Grin. No, it means that I have never been able to do something just for Him without Him sending more back to me!

Gotcha.

 

[Mashmont]

I know your bible better than you!

Are you a Christian of convenience who is pretending to not know, or do you honestly not know?

Not know what?

 

[shockedcanadian]

Ladies and gentlemen, I am trying to resolve this dilemma in my mind, and I need the advice of you good people in this forum:

Which is the best and most Christ-like way to help others?

1) Earn lots of money in life, and then use to to better people's lives through charitable donations.
or
2) Personally interact with people to help them without significant monetary involvement.

To me, #1 sounds the most logical, since you solve a lot of problems for a lot of people. But it is really God's way? Can you get to Heaven with involvement of money? True, some saints like Elizabeth Seton had great family wealth, but gave it away. However, both parents of St. Therese Lisieux are canonized saints who were prosperous in the silk linens business. They were generous with their money, but by no means super wealthy. You also have people like Melinda Gates who gives away a lot of her large fortune in the name of her "Catholic faith", but to immoral causes like promoting abortion and birth control in developing countries. In her case, has vast wealth twisted and distorted her values?

The second way describes most canonized saints. Lived in poverty, but did great things for others through personal interaction. I don't think there are any hand-off saints. All got their hands dirty, working directly with the poor or establishing religious orders, or educating kids. Is this the difference? Rich people may give money, but are not inclined to physically help out? Jesus lived according to #2. Should we all live that way, or are there other ways to help, according to our talents?

And then there is the third question of trying to raise a lot of money for charity which I am currently trying to do. Does this fall into category #1 where once again a lot of money is involved? Does this effort of raising money preclude the necessary "getting your hands dirty" to interact with those you are raising money for? Would it be more godly to get away from the money angle altogether? Do big piles of money lead to ungodly things regardless of why you're making it or raising it?

Who has an opinion on this?

I believe one should pursue their interests and in the process earn as much as possible as long as long as one remains virtuous. Why not, right?

If you are a virtuous human being who is selfless and righteous, when you attain more wealth, you can share it with others and help more people in need. That is the theory.

Follows the mitzvot of peia, which suggests you leave something for the poor. This is just one concept among many in Judaism. We all have a basic obligation under G-d to help those in need in society. To try and be humane towards one another. To fulfill G-ds commands. All 613 (or at least those still possible today).

If we have the means we should help those who don't have much themselves. The logic follows that of you earn more, you may have more disposal income to assist others and thus the cycle continues.

The ideal situation would be to assist someone and be paid a fair amount based on education, skill set, work ethic, competence etc. The most evil are those who violate the right of other citizens to pursue these objectives. In many respects, they are directly interfering in your commitment to G-ds commands (in addition to them violating these commands themselves).

If there is any justice in this universe they shall be judged I'm sure, no one lives forever.

 

[Mashmont]

I know your bible better than you!

Are you a Christian of convenience who is pretending to not know, or do you honestly not know?

If you're talking about the OP, no. I don't know. If you are good at raising money to help others, should you do it? Or should you devote most of your time and energy to actually physically assisting people?

 

[Woodznutz]

Reputable charities have the means to screen out those who are gaming the system. I favor organizations that deal directly with physical problems, such as Doctors Without Borders, Paralyzed Vets, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Wounded Warriors, Shriners.

However, I save most of my charity for my kids and grandkids. They will likely need it in the coming days.

 

[Z99]

Which is the best and most Christ-like way to help others?

Helping them to come to faith in Jesus.

Without faith in Jesus, it is impossible to please God. The entire point of our existence is to learn to put our faith in Jesus. Without that faith in Jesus, an unbeliever can do nothing to please God the Father, who sent his Son to Earth to reconcile ALL humanity back to him.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 

[Z99]

As Jesus said the "work of God" is to believe in Jesus.

John 6:28-29
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

 

[Z99]

Thanks for your input. I will say the charity I am helping is very worthwhile and purely voluntary. I know where every penny goes. But even so, is raising money the way to go? Jesus didn't do that. Jesus was not a fundraiser.

You should follow Jesus and you should encourage others to follow Jesus. That's what is most important. In the end, being a follower of Jesus is all that matters.

 

[Z99]

You are one of the ones I was hoping would respond.

The surplus vs need question is difficult. I also have an obligation to take care of my family. I also have trouble with the passage about giving to those who ask, for example the intersection panhandlers. How do you handle that?

How do you view the two options I laid out in my OP.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

We're supposed to love and help one another but that doesn't mean we have to subsidize those who don't want to work. And I will add that a lot of homeless and panhandlers don't want to work.

When I give charity to someone on the street I first tell them about Jesus. I encourage them to do their best to follow Jesus and that he will have wonderful things for them in the afterlife. Thereafter it's up to them and God.

 

[Mashmont]

Helping them to come to faith in Jesus.

Without faith in Jesus, it is impossible to please God. The entire point of our existence is to learn to put our faith in Jesus. Without that faith in Jesus, an unbeliever can do nothing to please God the Father, who sent his Son to Earth to reconcile ALL humanity back to him.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Very true, but sometimes you have to help them have basic needs before they can listen.

 

[Donald H]

If you're talking about the OP, no. I don't know. If you are good at raising money to help others, should you do it? Or should you devote most of your time and energy to actually physically assisting people?

In a perfect Christian world you would be doing what your bible tells you to do. I shouldn't need to quote it.

Government social responsibility is still the only method of even coming close to what the bible instructions fail to do.

 

[Mashmont]

In a perfect Christian world you would be doing what your bible tells you to do. I shouldn't need to quote it.

Government social responsibility is still the only method of even coming close to what the bible instructions fail to do.

So you don't know either. Jesus never endorsed government taking over the responsibility of giving from individuals.

 

[Z99]

So you don't know either. Jesus never endorsed government taking over the responsibility of giving from individuals.

You're not going to learn anything from him. He is spiritually blind as he is "of the world". The Bible speaks about this.

 

[Mashmont]

You're not going to learn anything from him. He is spiritually blind as he is "of the world". The Bible speaks about this.

Yeah, I'm looking for sincere responses. Not trolling.

 

[Dekster]

Giving money for the recognition isn't the right thing. The psychology need part is tricky. For my part, I have to say I really enjoy the process of figuring out how to raise money. Maybe I enjoy it too much. I wish I could say "Oh, I do it solely because I want to help these people". But that's not the case.

When I was in college I used to be full-bore into a charity that aided the profoundly handicapped children and their families. I raised money for them, I volunteered with them, etc. I just did not realize that these kids were sometimes injuring themselves just trying to experience simple sensory inputs. That is probably the closest I ever was to being selfless as there was nothing in it for me, I knew nobody like that, and the biggest beneficiaries really couldn't even thank you.

Since then I have done a lot with different groups but it has always felt like I was roped into them more than I wanted to be involved with them or just wanted to see my name listed on their Board of Directors as a vanity things I guess. As long as you are doing good in the end, I am not sure the why really matters other than some good works might catch you in the feels and lead you to put in extra time, money, etc. than you otherwise would have.