This only proves that we need to puff ourselves up. A true giver hides what they do from statistics and are not counted by them.
You stated that people in other natioins were just as generous with their funds as the people in the United States are. I knew that was wrong and I found something to buttress my beliefs. Then you morphed the topic to what a 'true believer' should do. Puffing ourselves up? Wow! Charitable organizations are audited. They report to the IRS. It's public record what their receipts are.
As for claiming donations on your tax return to lessen your tax obligations, what's wrong with that? Would you rather the federal government get the funds to squander rather than good causes.
Other than these factors, I have no idea what you're talking about when you say folks need to puff themselves up, and need to hide what they give. I don't know anyone personally who brags about how much they give. Evidently you run in different circles than I do.
That's a very nice well intended comment. I do not however think that as a father or mother, people should be serving the poor as if they were their slaves. Charitable giving in reasoned amounts is good. Volunteering is fine. So is supporting your family through attendence in their efforts. So is sitting on your posterior and clearing your mind during the week. Keeping in close contact with your children's activities, whether it be studies or extra-curricular activites is also serving the Lord. Spending time with the family in other ways is also healthy.
I know people that do all these things you say and still serve the poor as if they are slaves to them. No you don't. If you're being a slave to charitable organizations, some other aspect of your life will suffer.
What does that make you? Lazy? It makes me a well rounded individual. "..moderation in all things..." Ring any bells?
Soros gives money away to his tax deductable non-profits.
And somehow you think that many of the people in the statistics you posted don't do the same The people I know give money to concerns that benefit people in need. Soros gives to organizations that will manipulate our system of government, our society for the worse. Sadly, you couldn't understand this on your own, evidently.
You actually put me in an awkward position here, because I don't have a penchant for taking these individuals to task. I still think there is plenty of reason to object to some of these simplistic platitudes.
Compared to Saint Clement it is you who are simplistic. I doubt anyone will quote D-one from FR as being some scholar of love and knowledge, I also doubt anyone would quote me either
My comments stand. I'm not here to have folks quote me. I am here to express my thoughts. There's nothing evil about that. If my thoughts do awaken folks to the idea that their number one responsibility on this earth is their family, then friends, then others, all the better. Outside activity, including charitable giving and volunteerism comes second to that. God does not expect me to put my close associates on the back burner.
While this sounds good on the face of it, it is patently irrational bordering on the absurd. <> At some point in your life you will be thought of as a nothing so it would be better to let go of your pride now while you can When people grow up, they realize what others think about them is not important. What is important is what you think of yourself. What is important is that you can look back on your life and see value to what you have done. Of course God and others should figure prominantly in that vision, but that is what is important in life.
It is also a fact that the more successful we are, the more we can monetarily support good causes.
Complete nonsense. People like Saint Padre Pio did more for the poor than you or I or will ever do How would you know this? According to you, people who do good works should do them in private? Obviously he does it for recognition, and isn't truly a good person. /s Do you begin to see the absurdity of your own comments?
I will pray that the fall you're headed for is lessened I have no problem with that. I would simply suggest you pray for personal enlightenment as well.