As a Christian (not to mention a human), I think it’s our duty to give to others without stipulations and without strings when we can.
I appreciate the sentiment from people who like to make “care packages” for the homeless or poor, but there’s a balance between dignity and help that has to be walked. Cash does the best job of transcending that line. I also appreciate the effort of wealthy people to give in other philanthropic ways, although those aren’t always what they are cracked up to be and can be more self-serving than not.
I give cash. I’m a sucker. But I’m called to be foolish.
Read the first comment on the article if you have time…
“We don’t see people spending money on alcohol and tobacco,” he says. “Instead we see them investing in their kids’ education, we see them investing in health care. They buy more and better food.”
via What Happens When You Just Give Money To Poor People? : Planet Money : NPR.
I don’t say it often, but George W Bush was on the money here.