Giving Voluntarily

Should charity be made compulsory? This question really made me think deeply. Helping others brings joy, and whenever we come through for the weak, powerless and needy, there's this special feeling of fulfillment that comes with it.

Sadly, some people find it difficult to give or support others. Weather they have enough or not, they are only concerned about themselves. But honestly speaking, I do not completely blame them because giving should come from the heart and not forced.

It is sad to say today that many people have turned charity into an entitlement. Sometimes, the same person you constantly help begins to expect something from you whenever they see you, forgetting that even a giver may lack sometimes. This attitude discourages me and many others today, making charity to be difficult.

For me, I believe charity should be a personal choice. I give only when I'm moved to do so. Whenever my spirit pushes me to help someone, there's always this strong and irresistible urge within me. Yes, real charity comes from compassion, kindness, and willingness. When people are forced to give, it may no longer come from the heart, or reflect humanity rather it becomes grudge, and demand.

But if charity becomes compulsory, will it change things for the better?No doubt yes, many lives will be touched. There will be hope for the poor, food for the hungry, and shelter for the homeless. People will not be left completely alone in difficult times, suffering will be reduced in some communities. But, I think it may mean forcing people to give. Because when it happens like that, it will remove the love and sincerity behind charity. Some may only help because they are obligated to do so not because they truly care.

I just want to share what happened today as I was writing this post this evening. A man who supplies sachet water to me came alone, and I noticed that his manager, who normally works with him, was absent. When I asked about him, the owner explained that the manager had stopped working with him because he had been doing Shaddy business behind his back for along time. For example, he could supply 60 bags of water, but only report and remit payment for 40 bags, while secretly keeping the money for the remaining 20 bags. Some sincere customers later reported the issue to the owner, and when he confronted him, the man quitely stopped working.

What made the story more painful was how much kindness the owner had shown him over the years. According to him, he picked this man up when he practically had nothing. He had no stable place to stay and depended on a woman who clothed him, fed him, and paid his bills. When the woman later became tired and pleaded with the sachet water company owner to help him with work, the man employed him because he needed workers at that time.

He did not only employed him but also helped him start life. When the man complained that he wanted his own apartment because he felt disrespected where he was staying, the owner of the sachet water company personally rented a place for him, and even gave him money to buy materials for the doors and windows. Later the man secretly married another woman without informing his boss, who still thought he was with the first lady that once helped him. Even after discovering the truth, the owner continued helping him. He started up a business for the wife even help settle some of their debts, and rendered several other forms of assistance that are many to mention.

But how was the kindness repaid? Through dishonesty and betrayal. The same person who was lifted up through charity and compassion turned around to cheat the man who helped him.

After hearing this story from the sachet water owner this evening, I ask myself, if some individuals even deserves charity? Sometimes those we help disappoint us the most. And if we allow their wrong actions to harden our hearts not to help, many innocent people who genuinely need help may suffer. Yes I still believe charity should not stop because of bad experience like this.

In this life I have come to understand that not everyone appreciates kindness. And charity may not always change everyone, but will change lives. While making charity compulsory may increase the number of people receiving help, it may not necessarily produce grateful hearts.

Pictures are mine.

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