To be involved or not be involved, that is the question. Jim Harries, a long time missionary in Africa, addresses the question of giving. Find more by Jim at http://www.jim-mission.org.uk/articles/ or email him at jharries@africaonline.co.ke
Jim writes:
The development aid activities that go on relieve the rich man's guilt burden. When he sees and hears of 'the poor', he assures himself that he is playing his part through having given some money. Now he can sit back, relax and get on with life. This focusing on finance as the 'only' means of helpfully intervening in the Third World precludes other thought and action that may otherwise be very helpful.
The alternative to giving money need not be seen as 'do nothing'! Perhaps, should such an easy way of relieving one's guilt by passing on the surplus of one's economy not have been so easily found, alternative courses of action would have been sought out and found to bring disparate ends of the human race together? In the current state both sides conveniently relinquish themselves of responsibility. Third world parents, because someone else is looking after their children. Donor-nations because they are already 'doing something'. Meanwhile, little that is helpful is being done.
Thinking people in donor-nations perceive these problems. People in Western countries may choose not to get involved with the 'poor'. Even should they go to the 'poor', they might have enormous standards of charitability to live up to in order to gain an audience. They will have an enormous task of breaking through the reputation of only being interested in providing money, like their much sought after fellow countrymen.
Nearly every white man who goes to Africa these days seems to do so with the intention of spending money. This makes it extremely difficult for someone not intent on spending money to be understood or valued in any other role.
As a result, the person looking for alternative ways to help can be left standing aside, in tears. Is it surprising that there are not more people interested in long-term commitments to Third World nations these days?
In reality there are many ways of contributing to life in the Third World apart from giving out money. These ways need to be opened and explored for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the unity of the human race in the future.