*We (RIV) have a charity fund every year, doled out whether we’re doing OK or not. *
It's admirable that they give when they can, not only when it's easy. The question whether to give directly or through a "qualified" intermediary is being debated here in Albuquerque about panhandlers who beg at traffic intersections. I am happy to give a bit of cash to these people, preferring to be a sucker instead of a cynic. The city though has started a law to ban such panhandling (either still being debated or, if on the books, ignored) and a program to accept such donations in a fund for the beggars. But one wants to give to a person, not a bureaucracy. But I understand the dilemma. Years ago I gave $20 to such a person with a sign saying "Stranded, looking for work," and asked my boss to give the man work. Boss tracked him down to a motel, offered him work, but the man was too comfortable with the results of his panhandling and closed the door on boss. My own worry is less the crazy and unstable as such, as it is the alcoholic or drug addict: $10 or a $100 sweater might just go to something that will make their situation worse, not better. If I could be sure that the recipient would use the gift for food or warmth, I'd give much more readily. But, beyond all the practical questions (which obviously determine the particulars of giving), there is compassion, the principal Buddhist virtue and one wonderfully illustrated in the Islamic *hadith* of the prostitute whom God forgave because she took pity on a thirsty dog and gave it a drink; or the wonderful lines (paraphrased) from the story of the excommunicated Manfred in the *Purgatorio*: "The Divine Mercy has arms so wide/It takes to Itself everything that turns to it." In this respect, giving benefits the giver as much as the recipient. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
