Should one donate to charity?

I do believe that charity should begin at home but is is something that should be a 'given', being family. It's something that we do because we love our families or because of the ties of blood. Giving to charity doesn't also mean that one forget about oneself or put oneself last. For me, it is a matter of giving back a little of what I have received. Charity is my way of saying thank you for all the blessings that I have received. I give money to others because God gave me a job that would answer my needs so in my own little way, I want to answer the needs of others too. I give a smile because I have received so much smile too. Charity isn't only for money or material things but of also giving a little of ourself to others somehow. It could be time, effort, forgivenss or just a listening ear. Kindness to others for the kindness that we received too. We forgive because we have experienced forgiveness too. Charity is giving back a little of whatever we have received be it material things or not.

If you really want to be direct, maybe you could send such donations to people who you think that really needs them. Charitable organizations have designated areas where they operate. They also have to maintain their organization so that they could function properly. Funds for the organization as well as for those who they want or to whom they are designated to help out. Then again, you could start your own organization to help out others. A progressive one that would venture to areas that seems to be needing help more. Being there and direct into the action of giving.

I think we should take care of ourselves and our family first and if we have extra left over after that, then we can go and help others. I would rather help someone in person than to give it to a charity and not know for sure who'e pocket it went into.

what your dad had said is somehow true. we can give more if we have plenty of things to give.I believe that God gives blessings beyond our needs for us to share it. as for my own dad, he had always been a very helpful person to the point that he had sacrificed so much for other people and yet he doesn't seem to reap rewards. my family is currently struggling now but we're fine. i just came to a thinking that if only he had took advantage of things, things would have been different. i do believe that charity begins at home.

my father and mother would say "charity begins at home" but they always gave or helped people..mostly they helped their children as they got older and helped many times to pull them out of trouble..but some times they were not paid back.. my dad would say.."if you don't want to see someone..lend them money" lol well, he always was there for me.. and so was my mom and some family but not all so i am giving to disabled veterans (as i am a vet) and so my wife feels the same way but we support orphans and unwed fathers....as they have problems too but i support my wife's family..her brother and his family in the philippines.. but i was joking about the unwed fathers...but we did help some unwed mothers with gifts of money and clothes and stuff...the kids need to know they are wanted and cared for..