October 11, 2011

Giving at a Distance

In my area there are a couple of Fall fund drives that are taking place right now on the radio and I started to wonder...

How often do we invest in our various charitable organizations so we don't have to invest ourselves into the lives of others? Even through our giving we can keep the sick, the lonely, the broken, the poor at a safe distance.

2 comments:

emily said...

I completely agree. I think it is much easier for us to write a check to a charity or fund drive than it is to get involved in a more intimate way. Not only is it less time-consuming, but it keeps us at a "safe" distance so we don't get too emotionally involved. It probably also makes us feel good about ourselves for giving, without having it truly affect our lives, perspective or thoughts. While rolling up your sleeves and "giving" at the ground level can be rewarding, it can also be a painful reminder of how others live and how much we take for granted.

Matt Lipan said...

emily: thanks for the read and comment.

great points. the painful reminder of what others are dealing with is a hard thing to deal with. many of us try to avoid it altogether. i think when we do this we fail to allow our perspectives or worldviews to be challenged or changed.

thanks for sharing!