Ship of Fools: Anyone know the book Toxic Charity?

Thread: Anyone know the book Toxic Charity? Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on :

A local church is using it for book club discussion next month. Wondering of anyone here knows the book and has thoughts.

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

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

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :

Belle, the title sounds interesting. I will keep and eye out for it.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

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 ]

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

Charity is thrice cursed:
It curses him that receives; and him that gives; and him that does not give.

Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on :

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.

Posted by LucyP (# 10476) on :

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.

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