Charity - a Gift of the Heart

Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese poet who lived around thefollow his example and donate one week's wages to
turn of the last century, once wrote, "You give but littlethe benefit of this poor widow. Not one man
when you give of your possessions. It is when youresponded to his proposition and the bill was soundly
give of yourself that you truly give." This has been ondefeated. The principle he fought for was learned
my mind much over the past year with naturalmany years earlier from a constituent who, in
disasters and human suffering on an unprecedentedresponse to a similar bill passed for the benefit of
scale around the globe.refugees from a large fire in Washington, called
I read not long ago a call for all good Christians toattention to the fact that nowhere in the Constitution
support higher taxes so government could do more todoes it give Congress the authority to give away
help the poor and needy. It disturbed me that someonepublic money for charity. It was a lesson well learned
would appeal to my religious beliefs to supportby Davy Crockett, and hopefully by us as well. For a
increased government "charity." Is that really whatfull text of the story click here.
charity is? While most religions teach that we have anThe problem with government assistance is that the
obligation to care for one another, governmentonly thing they really have to offer is money. By
bureaucracy should not be what first comes to mindcontrast, charities like the Red Cross, Salvation Army
when considering that responsibility.and religious organizations, for which I have gained a
Taxes are not charity. They are coerced and notnew appreciation, provide hands-on, person-to-person,
freely given. I am not saying that there is no place forbasic services. All charitable organizations have
government in helping to relieve human suffering. Weoverhead costs, but reputable charities keep them to a
rightfully expect our public officials to warn us ofminimum and encourage volunteerism to minimize labor
impending danger whenever possible and give uscosts. The Red Cross alone in just the past month has
life-saving advice. We must be able to count on ourraised over a billion dollars which will be used not only
police and fire departments and, on occasion, ourto meet immediate needs, but also to train volunteers
national guard troops, to protect us from danger andand purchase equipment to handle future emergencies.
keep the peace. Our transportation departments,In television coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane
weather centers, and other similar agencies, both localRita, a reporter commented on the citizens of rural
and state, provide valuable services.Louisiana and Texas saying something to the effect,
However, when we speak of true charity - feeding"They were mostly farmers, shrimpers, ranchers,
and clothing the needy, providing shelter,outdoors people. They know how to make do with
encouragement, and a hundred other necessities - thatvery little. They're not waiting for FEMA, they're just
is not the business of government. That role is bestgetting on with their lives". I drove past Thistle the other
filled by private entities and individuals. Government, byday and thought of those days, over 20 years ago,
its very nature, is unsuited to the work of charity. It iswhen neighbor helped neighbor to move personal
intentionally burdensome, slow to change and react. Asbelongings and save what could be saved before the
inconvenient as this may be in today's world of instantflood waters took it all. Exactly the same thing
messaging, instant gratification, instant everything, it is ahappened this past January with the flooding in St.
safeguard which makes government less susceptibleGeorge and Cedar Hills. Probably, many of us
to the whims of society. Government's role, then, in theremember the Teton Dam flood which obliterated a
work of charity should be that of providing anlarge swath of south-eastern Idaho. Many from all over
environment which allows, even encourages andour area were called on to travel to Rexburg and
rewards, the charitable efforts of private entities andsurrounding areas to help in the cleanup efforts.
individuals.There is much we can do, for ourselves and for
Davy Crockett - frontiersman, soldier, politician,others, without relying on government. Some
American hero - struggled to define the role oferroneously believe their individual donation, whether of
government in charitable acts. As a member ofmoney or time, could not possibly make a difference.
Congress, a bill came before the body appropriatingBut, it is there, in the giving and receiving, that we find
money for the benefit of the widow of a distinguishedour humanity. I believe that it strengthens us as
naval officer. Many eloquent speeches were given inindividuals and strengthens our community.
favor of this bill and, until Davy Crockett rose to speak,It is my hope and prayer is that we as citizens of this
the passage of this bill was assured. He said, in part, "Ibeautiful community and this great state and nation will
will not go into an argument to prove that Congresscontinue to be actively involved in charitable donations
has no power to appropriate this money as an act ofof time and means and not passively stand by waiting
charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. Wefor government to fill that role. Surely, the
have the right, as individuals, to give away as much ofconsequences of such selflessness will be the
our own money as we please in charity; but asblessings of heaven for ourselves and those we touch,
members of Congress we have no right so toand also allowing and encouraging government to
appropriate a dollar of the public money." He thenonce again assume their proper role.
issued a challenge to each member of Congress to