The Philosophy of Philanthropy

All resources of the universe come from "the one" that mankind calls GOD, the Creator. We receive them as skill, talents, human characteristics, and natural resources. Everything we value, by whatever name we give it, has originated from the same one Creator. Money is mankind's invention to store the fruits of our resources to later use or transfer to others. Money is a modern invention and has caused modern man to believe, with confusion, that money is a value in itself. When modern man speaks of "Philanthropy" it is easy to believe that only those with a large amount of money can perform a philanthropic act or give gifts.

The Webster Dictionary defines philanthropy as "goodwill to fellowmen, especially: active effort to promote human welfare." Each individual can and should perform philanthropic acts and give gifts. Those that have little or no money can give their knowledge and understand of the universe without the need of giving money.

All communications from and with our Creator tell us we are to share the resources we receive in a wise and loving manner. Those individuals that are good stewards of resources are given more resources. Those individuals that use the resources they are given poorly do not receive more resources.

Money, as invented by mankind, is a tool. As a tool, money can help us if we know how to use it. Money can also harm us if we do not know how to use it. As an example, a knife is an old tool that has helped mankind for generations. But a responsible person would not give a knife to a one-year-old child to use. The child would certainly harm itself learning about the knife. An adult that had experience and skill in using a knife would need to determine when the child was able to hold the knife. Then step by step the adult would teach the child by words and example how to use it.

Among the resources a human needs are food, clothing, shelter, education, and training. Entertainment, comfort, and the feeling of well being can add value to a human life once the basic needs are met. Giving our resources in a responsible and correct way will provide us with rewards that money can not provide. Those people that have been able to store up their resources, in the form of money, can give that money in a responsible way to those that need it. Care needs to be exercised to make sure that money is not given to someone that will hurt themselves with it. Money given to a drunkard so that they may buy wine would be worse than if we gave nothing. Buying a car for a person would require that they later spend money on gas, oil, repairs and insurance. We must ask if a car is something that the person is ready to be responsible for themselves before we give the gift of a car.

Those of us that understand this "Philosophy of Philanthropy" want to use our understanding to help others grow to the point that they can understand it also. As our gift we can guide the distribution of resources and "Educate" as we give.