One thing I think I should write about is charitable giving in general and charities in particular. The scriptures specifically state that we are supposed to be charitable people, but give us strict guidelines on how we are supposed to carry it out. Matthew 6:1-4 says, "Take heed that he do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
It's impossible to pick up a paper without seeing a charity function advertised. These charities go 180 degrees against what God wants us to do. The fact that they are set up specifically to operate this way is evidence of how sick and sad our society is. People who donate this way aren't specifically damned, according to what scriptures tell us. Simply put, they have their reward. I would much rather be rewarded by God in the next life.
America is known as a very charitable society, and the vast majority of charitable giving is not through these public charities, with their publicity and trumpeting, but people quietly writing checks to real charities.
