According to a recent survey conducted by Gallup, 92% of Americans have someone they can turn to in times of trouble for help. That’s great news! Often, difficult times are made easier by just knowing you have a friend on which to depend.
Unfortunately, there is shame connected with receiving charity. People often react to offers of assistance with, “I don’t take charity” or “I’m not a charity case.”
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Without love, benevolence becomes egotism.” I couldn’t agree more, because that is exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-4.
We’ve heard it from the time we were young, “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” I think we all believe this on an intellectual level, but it’s more difficult to accept emotionally.
I’ve just finished reading a study published by the Charities Aid Foundation entitled, The World Giving Index 2010. (http://bit.ly/q4QGme) The United States ranks 5th in the World Giving Index.
