5 Reasons You Should Give to Charity

People always think twice before giving to charity. Over recent years there has been a number of disturbing stories in the media about charities wasting millions of dollars either in the wrong areas that have little effect or on administration and salaries. This should not stop people giving to charity as there are still a great number of worthwhile causes out there that need continued support. Most of these charities hugely benefit from the smallest of donations.

Charity is, and should be, considered a noble act and in many ways it can benefit your life. I'm not talking about the tax benefits (although they should not be ignored) there are a number of other ways your life can improve by giving regularly to charitable organizations. Here are 5 reasons you should give to charity.

1. Small things can make a big difference

Donating even a small amount can have a big effect on disadvantages people. Small donations from developed countries are worth a lot more in the developing world. When we all act together, these can add up to a substantial amount. Making a difference to some people doesn't always cost a lot either. Just a few dollars can buy a pair of shoes for a student that allows him to walk to school and get an education.

2. Charity motivates you to become a better person

Helping charities you have an interest in will motivate you to help further. If you have more, you can give more and so this in turn motivates you to do well in your own life and work hard to keep on giving. It also helps you become a better person, you feel better about yourself and more positive about the world around you.

3. Meet new friends with similar interests

Charity is not just about giving a monetary unit. You can contribute in other ways. Volunteering is a great way to help others less fortunate than you. There are numerous organizations that are always looking for hard working, flexible volunteers. You can meet other people who also like to give their time through volunteering and hence, meet people with the same charitable interests.

4. Show leadership to others

If you are considered a leader in your social circle, what better way to motivate the people around you than to give to charity? If you have children, think how they will see you caring for other people and you will inspire them to lead their lives in a caring and effective manner. If you don't have children, I'm sure some of your relatives do and you will be seen as an inspirational member of the family. Let's face it; we need these types of leaders in the 21st century.

5. Because you can

You are lucky, very lucky. In fact, you are one of the most privileged people alive today. You have clean water, fresh clothes, shelter, warmth and food when you want and need it. Billions of people do not have the access to these basic needs. It is the duty of every privileged person to give to the underprivileged. Don't even stop to think about it, give whatever you can, when you can, because you are lucky you can.

Read my blog which gives details of 2 very worthwhile charities in Thailand. The first helps students get into school and the second helps orphaned, handicapped and abandoned children to give them a better life. You can give online through their websites, the links you will find on my blog. You can also contact them to volunteer if you are traveling in the region.

2 Worthwhile Thai Charities

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The art of giving

True giving comes from the same place inside you as your deepest happiness. They are inexplicably intertwined.

A gift is something that is enjoyed twice. First by the giver who revels in the pleasure of giving something special and then also enjoyed by the person who receives the gift.

A very special form of giving takes the form of small, personal acts of kindness. Very often it is not money or belongings that people need, it's the things that can't be seen, such as advice reassurance, a kind word, compliments or a smile.

The act of giving doesn’t have to be limited to an exchange of presents at Christmas time or Birthdays. You can treat every person you come into contact with as someone who you can give a gift to.

You may be a bit sceptical, wondering what exactly do you have to give? Everybody has something of value for another person. It could be a kind word, a simple smile, some appreciation, the sharing of some special knowledge, even a helping hand or a bit of support during a difficult emotional time.

Personal Benefits of Giving to Charity

Charity giving has many benefits. These include the obvious, stated benefit of the Charity's purpose, as well as personal benefits. A more familiar personal benefit may be fulfilling a belief in a cause. This may include helping someone physically, financially, or emotionally. There are also additional personal benefits, including enhanced stability both emotional and mental. Giving to charity makes you a healthier person.

Beyond these intellectually credible benefits, charity has a mystical quality that is more than the sum of its parts. This can be appreciated when brightened by the light and life of the soul. To illustrate, people regularly give charity in someone's honor, and even more - they give charity to a cause so that someone they know should merit help in what they need. When "A" gives charity to "B" that "C" should be helped, is in the realm of the mystical. Additionally, this benefit accrues to the giver as well - even (or perhaps all the more so) when the only focus is to help the next person.

The reason being, that the energy we usually put into each good deed we do is limited. Whether it's taking out the garbage, telling someone how nice they look, studying hard, or praying, the amount of energy we invest in it, while possibly great, is not endless.

Charity, on the other hand, enjoys great merit because it embodies the giver's total effort. It takes everything you've got, physical and mental, to earn the money you're giving to charity. Any part of money earned which is then given to charity, contains all that energy. Moreover, even a small amount of charity can save a person's life if the poor person was about to expire G-d forbid, or it can sustain his life for a certain amount of time. This is why Charity (Tzedaka) actually adds life to the giver. This is because G-d rewards measure for measure. Just like you added life to the poor person, G-d adds to your life.

Its Time To Help The Needy

On one hand, there are people who live their life lavishly. They are not only enjoying the joy of essentials but also have what they want and desire; a luxurious living providing them an extra comfort. On the other hand, there are people who cannot even afford the basic requirements of living. They do not have shelter to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear.People who have extra are living a comfortable and a posh life. While those who have barely the vitals are fighting each day for life.They fail to meet the basic requirements.

There are people who have much more than they need to live while others have barely enough to survive.

Poor people do not have enough clothing, food, education and healthcare. Being poor means deprived economically, politically and socially. They hardly get opportunities. They have inadequate nutrition, higher risk of diseases and lack access to healthcare and basic essentials for living resulting in low achievement.

One cannot make such people opulent but can at least help them achieve the essentials of life and lead a prosperous life. Helping the poor and needy people is a good deed. Caring for the poor and needy people and helping them is a noble endeavor. The more you give to poor and needy people, the more you strengthen their dependency. If you give them the chance or opportunity, you’ll see an effective and long-lasting improvement in their lives. Create a new system built on inter-dependency which motivates them to work and move forward and their dignity is maintained. Tossing out money or other kinds of donation do help the poor and needy people but the need is to direct your energies and efforts in raising them, building relationship, teaching them and moreover, regaining their self-confidence and self-esteem to work for themselves.

Change your perspective. Instead of considering them as a project to help, view them as people to love and respect. Following are the few ways to help the poor and needy people