To Help or Not To Help
By tanniebabe78
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
United States
December 23, 2012 1:24pm CST
I have been seeing various articles posted around the internet about charity in all its various forms and I have found there are strong arguments for both sides of the coin. Why you should and why you shouldn't help others.
Lets examine why you should. This world is full of people that are full of hate and without a sense of compassion for those less fortunate. Have you ever known the world to be a better place to live as a result of these kinds of people?
There are many ways to help a person out. Most of them have nothing to do with money. And that is a big excuse as to why people can't or won't help others. "I wish I could help but I just don't have the money to spare right now." That is a big excuse.
The child that doesn't have enough to eat for instance probably also doesn't have much in the way of clothing. Do you have kids that have outgrown their clothes and they are still respectable enough to wear? Why not give them to another child that could use them? I do this all the time. I could sell them in a yard sale or put them up for consignment in a shop somewhere but why do that when someone else could use them?
Physical labor is a huge donation that will help a person in need. Helping someone to move or to fix something that is broken is a huge way to lend a hand. Its free to do and you will make someones life just a little easier.
Donating blood or plasma to organizations that help in a crisis situation such as Red Cross is a very big deal. There is nothing like doing something to help save a life. The body makes new blood cells every day so why not spare some for another human being?
If you want to give a monetary donation, there are many places to donate and they have as low as $5-10 as a one time donation. Help someone pay a bill that might be struggling and about to have their utilities shut off. If someone is short a few dollars in the store line, give it to them and bid them a good day.
The rewards for helping others are unending. Most of the time what you give to the world you will get back. Not always right away, but you will at some point receive help when you need it.
The other side of this coin is the argument about not helping. Some people believe that you should only help yourself. I believe this to be true if your helping another is going to put you into a bind or in danger. Most of the people that have written these articles have seen someone or been in trouble for helping someone else. If you don't have the spare time or money and can't follow through then you should refrain until you can. Charity does begin at home. If you give what you have and end up regretting it then its not worth the extra burden it has placed on you.
There are good arguments for both sides and it all comes down to a personal choice. I give when I can and don't when I can't.
5 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
23 Dec 12
When I have been in third world countries I have been continually harassed for charity as were other Westerners.
I made the decision not to give money but did invite the person to come with me into a small cafe while I took tea and if they were agreeable I would buy them a small meal. Many an interesting conversation resulted from such interactions
all the best, urban
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
23 Dec 12
That is an excellent way to give help to someone! And a very good idea. Sometimes is it dangerous to help others and you have to be careful and weigh the odds. Desperation breeds insanity and many people giving openly in such places are subjected to being robbed and many times killed. You are wise to offer an alternative.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
23 Dec 12
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well yes there are both pros and cons for the charity and donations raised online. To be very honest, i feel a bit scared whenever i have been asked for any donations online, the reason being very simple that i find such donations suspicious and i wish if more info could have been provided regarding the same then i would have had some second thoughts regarding donating some amount. But with so many scams and viruses on net, donations nowadays have to be carefully studied and then donated.
What say?
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
23 Dec 12
I say you don't have to look online for places to donate. In fact I really don't think that is the way to go unless it is through reputable companies that have an online fund raiser going on. I am sure there are people in your town, village or city that could use some help. It all comes down to personal preference and how you would like to help out. Not everyone needs monetary help. And that is the bulk of what my post was about. Ways to help without giving money and why you should carefully think it through before you attempt to donate to any cause whether it be for money or for time and knowledge.
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
4 Jan 13
I have never done online donation , I wish I could since they are not asking for much but I dont have a credit card and I will not used my bank account . In the future I will do donation and try to help others far out but for now I will start with who I can see around me that need it .
@Arieles (2473)
• United States
23 Dec 12
As Bill Clinton would say "A hand up, not a hand out!" to be brutally honest, I would rather work my way up and out than to have it handed to me on a silver platter. People are prideful and want to do things themselves. Have you ever heard of a two year old say "me do it?" Case in point.
I agree with you, money is not the only way to help someone. There are other ways. I have donated blood before, and this could save someones life. My Mom had a tubal pregnancy when I was four and she had to have blood donated to her as she almost lost her life. I have seen people in the streets, and have given them food. I have had yard sales, and the items left over have gone to local thrift stores usually run by church's.
Great post, thank you for posting this one.
@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
23 Dec 12
Don't see how there is a good argument for not helping others. I can understand being wary of donating money, especially online. I don't donate money unless it is to a local charity. I donate things such as children's toys and clothes and then, I know it is more likely to get to someone in need. I also donate my time and time is precious.
I do agree that we need to look after ourselves. We need to be responsible for ourselves or else, we will need someone else to take care of us, and that defeats the purpose of helping others. We need a balanced life. I think there is a strong argument for a balanced and responsible life. Taking care of yourself so that you can take care of others.
