How do we answer our call to exercise Charity

[Anrando]

Hello,

I have been having great difficulty in trying to figure out how it is that I am to answer the call to take care of the poor and to be “charitable”.

Firstly, is it charitable to give money to the beggar on the street? My professional experience has shown that a large majority of such people are drug/alcohol addicted or schizophrenic, and in some cases actually"professional" beggars who see begging as their occupation. Can I consider it “charitable” to give someone the money to buy drugs. It is impossible to tell those in real need from those gaming the public.

Ok , maybe giving money out on the street is nott such a good idea. Perhaps I should contribute to organized charity and let the “professionals” handle the distribution . I looked into Catholic Charities USA. That would seem to be a safe bet right? But then I notice that the priest who is president takes a “salary” of $140,000. Mmmm…that’s more than 3 times what I live on. What kind of lifestyle does the good father need to support with that kind of money I wonder? I know lay priests take no vow of poverty, but $140K! Perhaps I shouldn’t worry about such things but it seems that most “professional” charities make a lot of money for the people running them.

Then this last weekend the parish was collecting charitable contributions for Pakistani flood relief. Now is it un-Christian of me to NOT want to give money to help people who would kill me because of the crucifix I wear around my neck? I’m sorry but these people do not see money from the US as “charity” they see it as our tax to exist in “their” world. There is no gratitude. I understand that my purpose in being charitable should NOT be to receive gratitude, but it is also NOT to maintain my enemy so that they can kill me either.

I am honestly in a quandary. Now I know the usual suspects on this forum with their self righteous, advanced degrees and superior social consciousness will direct me toward supporting more GOVERNMENT solutions. Give Nancy the money and she will take care of it. I get it. So spare me. I am not wealthy and can not afford to pay any more tax. I already pay my 50% in taxes, and I do not believe in the concept of “collective salvation”. My government giving my money away does NOT fulfill my obligation to be charitable.

All that said, what is expected from me? How do I follow God’s direction to help the poor when I myself am not wealthy? No cell phone, no big screen TV, I don’t even own a car. I have enough and I honestly would like to help as I can. But where exactly?

Regards,
W.Unland

 

[royal_archer]

How about going out in your neighborhood and finding people who are trying to work and partake of their services and products.
Go out to dinner and tip well.
Visit a flea market and buy home made products.
Get a hair cut and tip well.
Go shop at a localy owned store.
Hire someone to do chores you would normally do yourself.

Also listen to people out in public and when someone has a sad story that you can help with, do so.

 

[the_phoenix]

Praying that the Lord will send you just the right poor person to help.

Praying from today’s Liturgy of the Hours:

Teach us today to recognise your presence in all men,
most of all, in the sorrowful and the poor.
– Lord, sanctify your brethren.

 

[the_phoenix]

How about going out in your neighborhood and finding people who are trying to work and partake of their services and products.
Go out to dinner and tip well.
Visit a flea market and buy home made products.
Get a hair cut and tip well.
Go shop at a localy owned store.
Hire someone to do chores you would normally do yourself.

Also listen to people out in public and when someone has a sad story that you can help with, do so.

Good ideas, royal archer!

 

[Mustang1971]

I think there are a lot of little ways everyday we can do this. Maybe it is just holding the door open for the person behind you, or a warm smile to someone. Maybe you know of someone in your Parish or in the neighborhood that is lonely, a cup of coffee after Mass or a quick visit would probably very welcomed.

 

[jamanne]

I also have a problem figuring out what is ‘good works’.i always thought anything given to the church would be well used but after Bernard Law used thousands of church money unwisely without consulting the congregation and neither his accountants or lawyers spoke up I am very wary about donating money anywhere.Even in our area there are for instance lots of fundraisings for cancer but we never hear exactly who gets the benefit of the money.I would rather they would tell me a specific person needs money for medication or supplies andI would be first to give ,its when the money is filtered through agencies and never gets to the needy that bothers me.I can help in small practical ways ,I am a good knitter ,and make baby layettes and knee blankets for the WAR VETS, and single mothers groups,also for people in long term care facilities or families of patients in intensive care who have to spend all night in a hospital,this keeps my fingers busy and I buy the wool on sale ,I am not rich and I,m sure there are millions of people who do a thousand things more than me I just hope it helps

 

[stinkcat_14]

Then this last weekend the parish was collecting charitable contributions for Pakistani flood relief. Now is it un-Christian of me to NOT want to give money to help people who would kill me because of the crucifix I wear around my neck? I’m sorry but these people do not see money from the US as “charity” they see it as our tax to exist in “their” world. There is no gratitude. I understand that my purpose in being charitable should NOT be to receive gratitude, but it is also NOT to maintain my enemy so that they can kill me either.

If we only love and help those who help us, what merit is there in that? Don’t the pagans do as much? While it may not be easy, providing charity to those who would kill us is probably about as selfless as you can get.

 

[Mustang1971]

I also have a problem figuring out what is ‘good works’.i always thought anything given to the church would be well used but after Bernard Law used thousands of church money unwisely without consulting the congregation and neither his accountants or lawyers spoke up I am very wary about donating money anywhere.Even in our area there are for instance lots of fundraisings for cancer but we never hear exactly who gets the benefit of the money.I would rather they would tell me a specific person needs money for medication or supplies andI would be first to give ,its when the money is filtered through agencies and never gets to the needy that bothers me.I can help in small practical ways ,I am a good knitter ,and make baby layettes and knee blankets for the WAR VETS, and single mothers groups,also for people in long term care facilities or families of patients in intensive care who have to spend all night in a hospital,this keeps my fingers busy and I buy the wool on sale ,I am not rich and I,m sure there are millions of people who do a thousand things more than me I just hope it helps

jamanne, it sounds like you are already doing some very special good works! You buy the wool so that is costing you money, but you are giving something more important than money, your time and effort. You are using your God given talents to help others!

Some of us are able to do grand acts, but it is the small personal acts of kindness that have a very big impact also!

 

[Anrando]

If we only love and help those who help us, what merit is there in that? Don’t the pagans do as much? While it may not be easy, providing charity to those who would kill us is probably about as selfless as you can get.

Thank you to all for your suggestions.

I really do understand the thought behind the idea that showing charity to our enemy is being selfless, but here is where my problem lies. Perhaps in the abstract you are correct in the extreme, BUT I do not believe that God made me stupid, nor am I expected in the name of “charity” and “love” to passively contribute to my own death or the death of the Church. Yes we are to love our enemies, but not to the point of suicide. I am not suggesting that we show charity only to those who help us, not at all. I have no problem at all in assisting the poor in other nations, such as those in Africa from whom we receive nothing, just as long as they are NOT trying to kill me or mine.

I was a cop for a long time, and I was expected to protect others from attack even at dire risk to myself, BUT I was not required to die, but rather to kill if necessary to fulfill my obligation to the public safety. I never for a second thought of making sure the bad guys were well fed and had plenty of ammunition before confronting them. I do not believe for a moment that the Church is intended to be a hippie (dating myself with this one I’m afraid) “love in” with flowers in our hair and tie dyed shirts, turning the other cheek to every power that may wish to harm us. I might be missing something basic here, and if so I hope that you all might point my failure to comprehend out to me. Pakistan is no friend to the Church nor to American’s in general. I would be arrogant beyond imagination to suppose that ALL the people in that country hate me, BUT they clearly believe that their religion demands that they support those that do.

The Church has a very long history of forceful defense of the faith and the faithful. The Pope himself called for the first crusade, and how many Catholic princes and countries have gone into battle with the blessings of the Church?. Self defense is part of natural law, and I have never seen any Church teaching against it’s legitimate use. Showing mercy to a wounded enemy, I get that. I myself have rendered first aid to an individual that moments before was trying to kill me, BUT are we really expected to feed and strengthen our enemies so that they can continue to attack us?

I really wish I could rise to the level of a Mother Teresa, but to my knowledge, not even she tried to minister in Pakistan. She would have NEEDLESSLY died if she had, and she knew it.

Anyway, I am sincerely NOT trying to find fault with your “ideal” construct, but reality, and perhaps my own life experience tells me that giving aid to Muslim countries is tantamount to sending care packages to German SS soldiers during the war in Europe. We spent 100’s of millions helping Indonesia after the tsunami and were thanked by the continuing killings of Christians and a couple of hundred Australians in the Bali bombings. No, it just doesn’t seem that Christ is really asking me to go there, but I am open to being corrected.

It keeping with this discussion I just read this headline as I was writing this:

MIR ALI, Pakistan - The Taliban hinted Thursday they may launch attacks against foreigners helping Pakistan respond to the worst floods in the country’s history, saying their presence was “unacceptable.” .

Makes it really hard to feel “charitable”.

Regards,
W.Unland

 

[royal_archer]

Thank you to all for your suggestions.

I really do understand the thought behind the idea that showing charity to our enemy is being selfless, but here is where my problem lies. Perhaps in the abstract you are correct in the extreme, BUT I do not believe that God made me stupid, nor am I expected in the name of “charity” and “love” to passively contribute to my own death or the death of the Church. …

Charity and love of for the individual does not mean endorsing or supporting their sins.