I guess this is the right place to put this. Help support good causes!

Charity sites:

1. The Hunger Site - "Your click on the "Give Free Food" button funds food for the hungry, paid for by site sponsors whose ads appear after you click and provided to people in need around the world through the efforts of Mercy Corps and America's Second Harvest."

Link - www.thehungersite.com

2. Animal Rescue - "The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need -- providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the US every year."

Link - www.theanimalrescuesite.com

3. The Rainforest Site - "For the preservation of endangered rainforest"

Link - www.therainforestsite.com

Jesus said NOT to give to charity. I believe he knew it was better to create opportunity and develope compassion for the poor. He knew those who distibute donated money take control of the distribution, and make biased decisions which enslave people who otherwise need to develope a usefulness.

Ie. Give a man a fish each day and you have a dependent; teach a man to fish and he can take care of himself.

Organizations are well aware of how they subtly rob the dignity and self respect of those who have been disenfranchised. Structure, such as the bureaucratic type that runs most charities, does not draw the most charitable or the most serving people... structure draws those who desire to build self-esteem through public exposure and socially accepted self-perceived generosity.

I'm sure Jesus would have approved of letting people starve. What was that quote? "Be the change you want to see in the world"? Without help nothing will progress. Jesus also said - "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

Charity and helping others (animals or people!) is a big part of Christianity - "Sister's of Mercy" ring any bells?

Correct me if wrong, but didnt Jesus give away fish and bread to feed 5000?

In a less sarcastic tone, you've missed the point, altho not by far. I believe Jesus tried to say, "there is dignity and worth in being poor". Indeed the Roman Catholic tradition holds a part of lent (which ends tomorrow) is about feeling solidarity in the poor. Jesus didn't say, "don't help the poor". From from it. The message was more, 'feel solidarity and help the poor to the full extent of your means'.

Altho I'd agree on a few things-- charities lording over the poor (bad pun excused, please) or withholding help to remain important.. are reprehensible and contrary to the message.

I believe you have gone off on a tangent.

Jesus said do not give to charity. Assisting the poor is a loving and compassionate thing to do directly. love thy neighbor directly... you won't need the church to help you do that yourself. In some cases the poor must be helped with community effort, but for the most part the poor would not be poor if they were assisted in learning to be useful. Meaninglessness is a condition soothed with love and hope. We know how to care, but many of us prefer to simply "feel good" when we really aren't directly contributing our time and talent. Money is the easiest thing to give; love requires more generosity.