Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Anyone know the book Toxic Charity?
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Belle Ringer
Shipmate
# 13379
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Posted
A local church is using it for book club discussion next month. Wondering of anyone here knows the book and has thoughts.
Posts: 5830 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2008
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
I looked it up at Amazon. It's apparently quite new and there are no reviews for it. I would check Amazon in a week or so.
Moo
-------------------- Kerygmania host --------------------- See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Belle, the title sounds interesting. I will keep and eye out for it.
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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justlooking
Shipmate
# 12079
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Posted
Here's a couple of reviews:
one review
another review
They both quote: quote: Never do for the poor what they have (or could have) the capacity to do for themselves
Limit one-way giving to emergency situations
Strive to empower the poor through employment, lending, and investing, using grants sparingly to reinforce achievements
subordinate self-interests to the needs of those being served
listen closely to those you seek to help, especially to what is not being said
Above all, do no harm (Toxic Charity, 128)
I agree with the view that there can be a lot of self-serving and self-interest in charitable work. It seems like a very good book for a church group. [ 04. October 2013, 15:18: Message edited by: justlooking ]
Posts: 2319 | From: thither and yon | Registered: Nov 2006
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Hairy Biker
Shipmate
# 12086
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Posted
Charity is thrice cursed: It curses him that receives; and him that gives; and him that does not give.
-------------------- there [are] four important things in life: religion, love, art and science. At their best, they’re all just tools to help you find a path through the darkness. None of them really work that well, but they help. Damien Hirst
Posts: 683 | From: This Sceptred Isle | Registered: Nov 2006
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Belle Ringer
Shipmate
# 13379
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Hairy Biker: Charity is thrice cursed: It curses him that receives; and him that gives; and him that does not give.
I like it!
I realize there's a problem with creating dependency, but did Jesus say to give only to the deserving poor? I do think people sometimes decide what will make them feel good to give instead of finding out what the real need is.
Yup might be an interesting church discussion.
Posts: 5830 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2008
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LucyP
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# 10476
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Posted
This is a tangent, but Eleanor Porter wrote an amusing (if corny) novel nearly a century ago about the pitfalls of charity, Oh, money! money! , which is free on kindle or via gutenberg.
The story is of a millionaire who has no close family, and wants to see if his distant relatives are worthy of inheriting his money - so he gives them a "taster" and secretly observes how they spend it.
There are 2 contrasting female characters, one who (when unexpected wealth is lavished on her) indiscriminately gives money to anyone who asks (with dire consequences), and one who generously assists people in need, usually by non-financial means -with much better results.
It's all a bit dated, but still an instructive picture of the principles of helpful versus toxic charity.
Posts: 235 | From: my sanctuary | Registered: Sep 2005
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