Giving to charity |
Jesus taught his disciples to show unconditional love to all people. He demonstrated this through his own compassion for the poor, sick and lonely. It is therefore no surprise that many well-known charities were set up by Christians.
Christians support a wide range of charities, from those that help the poor to charities concerned with animal welfare; from charities that protect the environment to those that help people whose human rights are being abused.
As well as being motivated by love, Christians should show a proper regard for the status of wealth. All things come from and belong to God, and Christians are told not to become too attached to money. In the Old Testament, a specific instruction is given to tithe. This means giving 10% of your wealth to the poor. Some Christians donate 10% of their salaries to charity.
John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, had a different approach. He believed you should give whatever you can afford to charity. For example, imagine that a man finds he needs £10,000 per year to live on. In his first year of work, he brings home only £9,500, leaving him £500 in debt. In his second year he earns £12,000. After paying off his debt, he can donate £500. The following year he earns £17,000. Now he can give £7,000 to charity.
Many Christians try to avoid making specific rules about giving. Charity is a virtue - a character trait we develop when we respond generously to the needs of others. Giving according to a rule takes away the love and compassion involved in charity. It can also prevent Christians responding to sudden crises such as the Tsunami.
Christian Aid is an example of one charity that works with people who are poor, both in the UK and abroad. The work of Christian Aid is very similar to that of TEAR Fund and CAFOD, although TEAR Fund put a greater emphasise on teaching people about Christianity as well as solving problems of poverty.
C |
ommunity-based projects, working with local people |
H |
elping people to help themselves, rather than offering handouts |
R |
aising awareness as well as money, so people understand about debt, trade etc. |
I |
nvolving ordinary people – collecting money, travelling abroad, working as volunteers |
S |
aying prayers, holding special services, encouraging people to think about others |
T |
eaching people new skills, farming methods etc. giving them a self-sufficient future |
I |
nvesting in long-term projects rather than quick-fix solutions |
A |
id in emergencies such as floods, famines, earthquakes |
N |
ot only abroad, but helping the homeless, unemployed etc. in the UK |
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A |
ction against unfair laws, poor working conditions, low pay, child labour etc. |
I |
ndividual campaigns – Jubilee 2000 to clear debt; Make Poverty History; Fair Trade |
D |
evelopment – digging wells, building hospitals and schools, improving sanitation |
This acrostic describes the work of Christian Aid - could you complete one for TEAR Fund and CAFOD?