The soul has greater need of the ideal than the real for it is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Define Charity Please

generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless

something given to a person or persons in need; alms

benevolent feeling, esp. toward those in need or in disfavor

leniency in judging others; forbearance
-Dictionary.com

Unfortunately, the spirit of such things does not dwell in all of us.  Apparently there was a home built in Chapman, Kansas for an Iraq veteran by Extreme Makeover (Home Edition), you know, that show where even Ty Pennington cries every single week.

The charity I agree with, the exploitation not so much.

However, now it seems that the couple has emptied out the house, put it on the market, and moved to Texas.  (personally I question anyone who'd voluntarily move to Texas, but hey.)

When asked why they thought the couple fled the house and the town one compassionate neighbor said,
"...that some residents were frustrated with the Tutwilers because they didn't want to give tours of their new home, and that came off as being ungrateful to those who helped."

(read)"We did for you, now we have rights and we expect you to honor them no matter how inconvenient they are to you."

Do we really think we're buying something?   Does charitable work, giving, benevolence buy us some power over the poor wretch we're supposedly helping? 

Do we now own Haiti?

The Tutwilers lived in a rural area.   Some of us entertain the notion of living in the country because it's private.  Apparently that's not always the case. 

Currently in my house there are Titleist golf balls, General Mills Cereal,  Nike shirt and shoes, and one of the things I'm saving for is a Tag Heuer watch.

Does this mean that Tiger Woods owes me something? (I'd like a condo in Maui please.) Does this mean that I own part of him?

No.

I sent $50 to Haiti relief, will I receive an honorary deed entitling me to own a square foot of what's left of Haiti?

No.

So, tell me, why do we think that when we help people, when we give to charity that we think the recipients owe us something?

Why can't we just give and be thankful that we're in a position to help?

And so it goes:
Love, cause it's all you got.