Last year Warren Buffett made headlines when he
changed his will to distribute his wealth through the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation. Buffett cited different reasons for this decision,
among them that the Gates Foundation already had the infrastructure in
place to “productively” distribute the funds in a manner that was in
accord with his wish.
In the same manner, by giving through a reputable charity, you’re
letting those who have the means and facilities to distribute in a fair
manner, do so efficiently and productively.
Sure, you can go down the street passing out money, but it’s not the
most efficient way of distributing the wealth. It forces you into a
position of judgment to deem someone as impoverished or needy; plus you
have to account for human dignity, which is diminished on the side of
the receiver.
On top of it all, it’s very easy to let personal pride step in and
distort the nature of your good work.
For these reasons, we encourage our congregation to be generous in their
giving through the programs we have in place. All reputable charities
maintain databases and have accounting systems that ensure money is
distributed in a productive manner.
Caring for those who cannot otherwise take care of themselves is the
cornerstone of all good religion. In fact, how a religion addresses the
problems of poverty and alleviating human suffering should serve as a
measure to the holiness of that faith.
As Saint John writes in his letter, “for those who do not love a brother
or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”
(1John 4:20 New Revised Standard Version). And tangible manifestations
of that love are most prominently expressed in our giving.
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission
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The season of giving is a gift to each of us in itself. It is an opportunity to share with others and be part of uplifting one’s fellow man. Every religious tradition includes giving — for a reason. Giving allows us to offer goodwill and friendship. Saving lives and giving are part of the path to salvation.
Scientologists take pride in volunteering to help their communities through the Volunteer Minister Corps, the American Red Cross (blood drives) and organizations like the Church of Scientology Woman’s Auxiliary.
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “Outflow is holier, more moral, more remunerative and more effective than inflow.” Outflow is not destructive. Giving money to the homeless at freeway exits or street corners is not harmful and will continue. Many do this with the satisfaction they are doing something to help another. I agree that food and clothing are a more effective donation, and I have often given bottles of water and snack foods rather than money to those who approach me. But from a homeless person’s point of view, would it be more effective to ask for money or hold up a sign, “Help me out. Volunteer in your local soup kitchen.”?
Let’s all be encouraged this season to outflow, whether in an organized or random fashion, to those less fortunate than ourselves.
CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology
Helping the less fortunate is one of humanity’s greatest virtues.
Steve Burger’s recommendations are sound, with some cautionary notes. First, if the only time you give to the poor is when approached by a panhandler, then I’d encourage you to give your pocket change away in spite of the possible downsides. The substance-abuse problem will not be remedied for the individual or in society with the mere elimination of handouts.
Second, it is not right to paint every beggar with a broad brush label of a drug addict. Addressing poverty should require all of us to step up and get more personally involved by getting to know those who are less fortunate by understanding their circumstances.
Lastly, and along the same lines, institutional financial support alone is not enough. The personal touch of giving face to face is a humanitarian approach that our nation’s poor deserve.
In Islam, giving to the poor is one of the five pillars of worship along with belief in God, five daily prayers, fasting during the month of Ramadan and making the pilgrimage, Hajj, once in a lifetime to Mecca. This central tenet of Islam is referred to as “Zakat,” which translates into “Almsgiving.” Zakat is a minimum of 2.5% of one’s extra wealth after paying for one’s own basic living expenses. Beyond this absolute minimum, Muslims are encouraged to be charitable within their means at every opportunity.
Muslims are not only urged to give to the poor, but to practice a whole host of mannerisms and attitudes that must be aligned with respect for the less fortunate and with one’s inner spiritual relationship with God. There are numerous passages of Koran and stories of the Prophet Muhammad that provide inspiration to Muslims, urging them to be generous in the right manner. Such behavioral guidelines include not reminding people or showing off one’s charity, giving both in secret for spiritual benefit and in public to encourage others to do the same, seeking balance between stinginess and being a spendthrift in charity, seeking out those who are in need but do not ask, giving first to family members in need and helping those to get out of debt.
Charity as a means of social justice for the poor is a requirement of righteousness in Islam.
“O believers, never shall you attain to true piety unless you spend on others out of what you love; and God has full knowledge of what you spend.” (Koran, chapter 3 verse 93)
Burger’s wise, practical advice needs to be enhanced with a holistic, humanitarian and God-centered approach to comprehensively attain social justice for the poverty-stricken in our neighborhoods.
LEVENT AKBARUT
Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge
Steve Burger is probably right: Giving to a shelter instead of to an individual is probably safer, as far as one’s contribution is concerned. And it may be possible that giving handouts promotes destructive behavior.
However, even if Burger is right on both counts, we don’t get off the hook of showing compassion to those who are less fortunate than we are. It would be all too easy to ignore the homeless and others with a contemptuous look or sneer, and with a wave of the hand wonder why they don’t go to a shelter. I learned one time that even if we decide to give nothing to a person who is begging, we still need to acknowledge that person’s humanity.
We need to look at him or her and speak to the person. Maybe all the person wants is money and maybe you’ll receive an insult — but would you rather be in that person’s shoes and rags? Probably not.
We are called to be compassionate “to the least of these, my brethren,” as at least one Gospel account puts it. We are called to be neighborly, as the account of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s Gospel puts it. So if you aren’t going to help with money or a sandwich — and I’m not saying you should — at least share your common humanity with the person, who, but for the grace of God, could be you.
THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Cañada Flintridge
When a handicapped man spotted Saint Peter entering the Temple, he extended his hand for charity. Peter responded, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6, New International Version).
Today we haven’t the power of biblical Apostles to restore appendages, but our experience is more like that in the Monty Python movie “The Life Of Brian.” There, a man leaps to his feet and begs for money as an ex-leper. Yes, “ex.” Though cured by Jesus, he continued panhandling and was upset that the “do-gooder” had damaged his career. Likewise, most of the questionably homeless we encounter seem to have all their limbs and could be working rather than standing on off-ramps with cardboard signs. Are they retarded or unnoticeably incapacitated? If so, aren’t agencies available to provide them aid? I wish I knew because they often call the church, and we offer food, but they want cash, and that we haven’t much.
One congregant decided that whenever approached by a transient, he would ask for change first. It not only worked, it deflected the scornful “blessing” often pronounced by those declined.
We all wish there weren’t such people, but we still contribute out of genuine, albeit unknowing, concern.
Could the Rescue Mission be right? I’m for helping such if it would clear the streets. I don’t want to enable addicts, but neither do I want poor people without basic necessities. It remains a dilemma. A mother with children requesting sustenance I don’t think we should refuse, but even if that is a con, take comfort in Jesus’ words; “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40, Today’s New International Version).
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
MontroseCommunity Church.org
Last year Warren Buffett made headlines when he changed his will to distribute his wealth through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett cited different reasons for this decision, among them that the Gates Foundation already had the infrastructure in place to “productively” distribute the funds in a manner that was in accord with his wish.
In the same manner, by giving through a reputable charity, you’re letting those who have the means and facilities to distribute in a fair manner, do so efficiently and productively.
Sure, you can go down the street passing out money, but it’s not the most efficient way of distributing the wealth. It forces you into a position of judgment to deem someone as impoverished or needy; plus you have to account for human dignity, which is diminished on the side of the receiver.
On top of it all, it’s very easy to let personal pride step in and distort the nature of your good work.
For these reasons, we encourage our congregation to be generous in their giving through the programs we have in place. All reputable charities maintain databases and have accounting systems that ensure money is distributed in a productive manner.
Caring for those who cannot otherwise take care of themselves is the cornerstone of all good religion. In fact, how a religion addresses the problems of poverty and alleviating human suffering should serve as a measure to the holiness of that faith.
As Saint John writes in his letter, “for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” (1John 4:20 New Revised Standard Version). And tangible manifestations of that love are most prominently expressed in our giving.
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission