WHAT DOES BEING CHARITABLE MEAN TO YOU ?
What is Charity in Simple words?
Charity is the act of giving help to those in need of it. It is a humanitarian act. It involves giving money, goods or time and effort to those who need it. It is done without expecting something in return. Giving money or food to poor people is an example of charity.Most of us are conditioned to believe that "Charity is about giving some money to the needy". There is a lot more to charity than giving some money and forgetting about it the next minute. This may give some gratification to our Ego, yet does very little for our Soul
Charity is
1 - more about benevolent Love and Goodwill towards Humanity
2- generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also: aid given to those in need.
Being the son of a Public Servant, I am aware most families in India run out of money by the 20th and life is a struggle to the next Pay day, the 1st of the following month.
Times were tough but the goodness of neighbours and families, meant mothers could borrow rice and lentils etc from them and return on next Pay Day. Worst case scenario, your Provision shop owner allows you credit and gives you supplies; mind you there was no such thing as Credit cards those days
Charity often, is seen as only giving money or doing something for people who are disadvantaged in some way. There is a lot more to Charity than giving money to some one who may appear to be needy.
On a monthly basis Over the last 45 years I have sent money to many Charities in OZ like the Salvation Army, Bernardos, St Vincents, Cancer Council, World Vision and State Emergency Services which is an organisation of Volunteers. Ones the money is despatched I forgot about it until the next month.
Today, I see True Charity during the Covid Pandemic. Nurses, Paramedics, Doctors and hospital staff risking their own lives to serve the community. This to me is Real Charity.
I am thinking of the nuns at Jeevodaya, my favourite Charity, a Hospice for Terminally ill Poor Cancer Patients running the hospice in 2021 risking their own lives to Covid. Going strong after 25 years of providing unconditional service to all irrespective of caste creed or religion
As one of seven siblings our parents always told us to share everything equally between us and as we grew older we extended it to all our nieces and nephews.
One big happy family we were and it is true that Charity Begins at Home..
Unfortunately I see this Charity in the family is fading away with the younger generations
When you ask for a donation for charity, it is my experience that the "not so well off ones" will be the first to dig deep into their pockets and the neo rich flashing posh cars and living in mansions are the tightest.
Yet when they are at the Temple or Church or Mosque, they will donate big to impress the onlookers.
I have seen a lot of Yellow Aud $50 bills and Green Aud $100 bills and they make sure others are looking too.
This to me is not charity but feeding their own ego's.
Now watch this video to understand what I mean:-
Don't wait to become Rich to be Charitable
Do you Consider Bill Gates as the Most Charitable man on earth ?
You just have to ask Melinda Gates that question
Charity comes from the Heart not your Wallet
Charity does begin at Home and people who serve you like your maid servants, cooks, gardeners, electricians, plumbers, garbage removers are all family are they not who serve you for a pittance ?. Check and make sure their children are not starving at home due to lack of money.
If at all possible instead of feeding them Fish, teach them to Fish meaning help them with skill sets and education so they can stand on their own feet.
If each one of you can help give another human being a better future, You have not Lived in Vain.
