The Things I Think About… Thoughts On Cash Donations…
Money has no inherent value. Money has only the value that is given to it by its holder. Donate time and you retain the ability to ensure that that time has value. Donate money and you’re passing that responsibility on to the recipient. If the recipient is irresponsible with it, then you have effectively given no value; the value is only in your own eyes, as you are the one who has given value to the money, not the recipient.
Does this mean you shouldn’t donate money? That depends on the recipient. Simply be sure to do your own due diligence to determine if your donation will be used wisely or squandered away. Do not donate blindly.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.
Donate cash and a man may eat for a day. Donate your knowledge and a man can find his way so long as he is willing.
Tags: Charity, Economics, Incentives, Philosophy
