groups

That is true.

I am in total agreement with you. Charity should begin at home in our country. God Bless You

.

I agree with you Katiee. While I don't want any child to suffer, be hungry, or need clothes on their backs any where in the world, we have this right here in the US. We also are such a wasteful society.

It reminds me of hearing the story, which parallels, if you are on an airplane and the oxygen masks fall out due to an air problem, put your own mask on first. Because if you can't breathe, you can't help others who are struggling to get their masks on. Initially, it may sound selfish, but in the end, it really is not. Only then can you help save the lives of others. I feel the same way with this. We should help our own first, if we are to help others elsewhere. At this point however, I think too many countries count on us for basics. If we temporarily took some of this away, I'm not sure some would survive. So that would not be good either.

You've probably heard the saying: If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach the man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. I don't claim to know all of the reasons why some countries can't provide for themselves. Whether it is soil, rain, war, government or they just are not motivated. I do not know. I'm sure a bit of all of those among other things. After seeing the movie Blood Diamonds a few years ago, there is a lot of corruption in places that make it impossible for their good citizens to make a living. Their lives are threatened every day by gorilla warfare. How horrible that must be.

I saw a documentary a few months ago about the struggles of some of our own citizens. Children without food, clothes, medical and dental care. Very sad. We have been in an economical breakdown for the last few years. We certainly have many of our own that could benefit from these things and not enough to go around to help entire world. We can only pray that God leads us to help those who need it most.

One thing that interests me when I give to a charity is how much of each dollar actually goes to the cause and how much is eaten in administration? A good thing to look in to. There is also a great deal of corruption inside some charities themselves. I was amazed to learn that a rather well know and very well off person who had started a medical charity was stealing narcotics from it to satisfy her own addiction. Many people looked the other way. Personally, I was irate when I heard about it.

It certainly is a very sad and controversial subject.

Dear Lord, As we are in the midst of this Christmas season, the season of giving to others, please remind us all, to give to all our brothers and sisters in need what we can, as we have received all of it from you. Please remind us to be more compassionate and giving not only during the Christmas season as we celebrate Christ's birth, but instead year round as we celebrate His mercy through the blood He shed on the cross for us all. The ultimate gift of love.

In Jesus' Name, Amen

Thanks for the great post, Maggie...I just re read mine and I see my typing is not good on this laptop....I meant to say Hugs...not Hufs. :)

It's sad, hunger and homelessness used to only be a problem that was "over there" in countries like Africa, China and so forth. Now-a-days you only goe as far as the nearest bridge or overpass and, chances are, you'll see hunger and homelessness staring you right in the face. The sad part is there isn't an "easy fix" to the problem because, even though the economy shows signs of recovery, there are currently so many that are homeless and unemployed that it would seriously tax the resources of our country to try to help them all.

I live in a town of 10.000 and we have homelessness and people going hungry. Our food pantries are having so much trouble in keeping the shelves stocked. A co worker drove by the pantry during thanksgiving give away. He said they were lined up around the block. Hyvee has a load the moving van right after thanksgiving. So the pantry can be refilled up. It is ever where.

We all need to realise the money we have is given to us by God. It's His money and we need to learn how to manage it. If everyone would pray and ask God, He would show them how to best use His money. There is no reason for anyone in America or anywhere else to go without the things they need. I know that level of poverty on a first hand basis. Thankfully, here in America all it takes is a little knowledge to get by. I have walked the streets and pulled food out of dumpsters, bags of clothing off the sidewalks left for trash pick-up, looked in dumpsters behind health stores to retrieve vitamins for the children, etc., to help myself and others in need. I have slept under bridges and had many homeless friends. Even today, I go to churches and shelters with friends and get things given to the poor because I qualify for it, the only difference is, now God shows me how to manage my money so the things they give to me, I give to others who have no means of getting there themselves. Look around you, give someone a ride to the churches and shelters giving these things away every day. I live in a small town, but I happen to know there is a church here somewhere every single day of the week giving away something and there is a mens shelter right behind my house that gives away food one day, clothing another day, furniture the next and checks to help pay bills the next. America is full of resourses, find a family who needs them and show them how to take advantage of what is there. Then, you can send much needed money to families in other countries.

I agree Katiee. There are so many infomercials about the hungry children in other countries and what a difference a few cents a day can make. But I'm with you- how many of these infomercials have we seen about the hungry and homeless children right here in our own country? I am 52 years old and I can recall seeing one. Only one. Which, BTW, I did send money to and am convinced I was ripped off. We see well known celebrities spending untold hours, months, years, promoting fund raisers for other countries, but not a single one for the needy in our country.

NEARLYWHERE, I FEEL BAD ABOUT NOT HELPING BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT MY MONEY IS GOING TO THE CHILDREN. I WISH THEY'D INVESTIGATE THESE ADS AND YANK THE FAKE OFF THE AIR...IT'S LIKE BEING SPAMMED ONLINE.

YOU MENTIONED THE CELEBRITIES AT FUNDRAISERS AND MEANWHILE THEY'VE GOT PLENTY OF MONEY---HOW MUCH DID THEY DONATE.