I tried keeping my mouth shut but then, after two days, I am still very annoyed.
I had expressed my views on giant cheques during the post-Tsunami charity drives. I hate seeing 10 people carrying a huge, styrofoam-cardboard mock cheque with an idiotic grin on their face, dressed in Versace, Rolex on the wrists and trying to look sympathetic and yet, damn proud that they are noble.
Yesterday, I saw these appearing again. And the worst thing is – this time, it is not about political or corporate interests. Usually, it is some politicians wanting recognition or huge corporations wanting media attention. This time, it is a group of people from a certain religous faith.
This time, it is about God. When I first got to know Christianity, I was amazed with all the red letterings in my New International Version Study Bible. The red letterings are words from Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, Mark and John. I was like, wow, this guy (Jesus) is sure smart. Everything is so make sense wan…Wah, He is so clever. If only everyone of us (Christians, ok?) follow His Words, the world will be a better place indeed.
So, one of the words that I try to follow and keep in mind is “When you are giving, do not let your left hand knows what your right hand is giving and Your Father in Heaven will…… (full passage here)”.
Yet, what do I see in the paper yesterday? These people are giving in full glory with giant cheques. And do they have to emphasise that they are giving to a group of different faith people? Didn’t God has made clear that we are not to discern? And what takes the cake is:
“We want to encourage Christians in the country to donate to charity. That’s our basic responsibility,†he said.
I hope it is bad reporting because when I read this sentence :
“This is a call from God to share what we have,â€
What may I know is ‘This’ that is being referred? I may misunderstand. But doesn’t it sounds like “This (earthquake) is a call from God to share what we have.” So, I think it is a rather sad way to portray God like that. God definitely did not put on His wrath by creating an earthquake which killed thousands just to make you (the giving party) to realise about sharing. Puhleez, can’t you just give the money without having to make a huge issue with a title that says ‘such and such faith of people give to such and such faith people.
Why can’t we just live peacefully without making our faith an issue? Why can’t we give without making the giving party a celebrity or monkey? Come on, focus on the needy. Just take whatever blardy money you have there and give. If you have the faith, God will have His way. You do not need to ‘show people the way to give’. Hell, I am damn insulted!
*On a side-note, have you read about Yvonne’s donation drive? She is needing a sum of money for her operation. Please see how you can help this gutsy young girl. And please, please go and vote for her for the scholarship. It is just a click of a button. Let us give in our small way without needing all that jazz.*
Happy weekend!
lambat tidur kak.. ^_^
LOL Right on. I had a similar experience when I was working for my ex-boss. It was a hospital charity, and I was the usher. (felt like a paid whore having to suck up and greet those VIPs)This particular VIP had donated some money and was asked to go on stage. The emcee introduced him as Datuk XXX. After that, the VIP approached my boss and was adamant, pissed and upset because…. the emcee called him a Datuk when he (emcee) should rightly call him YB. Tiu.
During the Tsumani, so many associations, temples. etc. came to my shop for donations, i gave and gave and till today i oso don know whether the money got reach them onot.
lilian u r absolutely correct; lots of ppl especially politicians, famous ppl & “look at me, look at me” ppl always want publicity so that’s the only reason they give & bragg about it in the name of GOD & whatever! these ppl will b the first to go to hell when judgement day comes!
aww….c’mon, if they’re the ones to go straight to hell, what about murderers and rapists? and oh, Hitler?
achelly hoh….they give money to the needy afterall. Just let them bask in their 15 minutes glory lor.
wzwz – Hahaha, hell must be crowded hor?
wuching – Some are ok, but guess what? Some give RM100K away and behind, dunno how many millions they suck from the funds. Ok,ok, there are only a few bad apples. Like stealing the money from charity funds.
ah pek – Dun care lar, give away, what they do with the money, they have to tanggung dosa sendiri if they misappropriate the funds.
helen – Yaya, I met a lot like that before. And good thing is they always want to outdo each other by giving more so that they get to sit on the same table with the Minister, pssst…especially the Min. of Trade. LOL. Still they are doing a good deed by channelling some money to the needy la.
Sham – Waduh, I check and check your blog and satu bulan baru blog sekali. How are you? Selamat Berpuasa.
we must give with our hearts lah, for god sake. not with our mouth with teeth grinning from ear to ear for all to see.
I totally agree with you! If they want to give, let the right hand not know what the left hand is doing! Pride has a very subtle way of showing itself. I really admire the many who have given but have never broadcasted to the world that they are so generous in their giving.
i’ve been thinking. if some datuks or others will only be persuaded to give to charity if they get something in return, like publicity, or favours, or tax benefits, then i say go ahead and give them their moment of glory lah. in the end it’s getting those money to the needy that’s most important.
I THINK YOU GOT IT WRONG.I WAS LISTENING TO THIS BLOKE WHO WAS PART OF THE “CHECK GIVING TEAM” ONLY THIS MORNING. HE WAS VERY CLEAR WHEN HE EXPRESSED THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY WAYS FOR THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO SHOW PRACTICAL LOVE FOR ALL WHO ARE IN NEED NO MATTER WHAT FAITH OR CREED THEY MAY BELONG TO. IF THE SO CALL “PUBLICITY” GENERATES GOODWILL IN THIS MULTI RELIGIOUS COUNTRY OF OUR, WHY NOT?. BY THE WAY $100,000 IS A LARGE SUM TO GIVE AWAY FOR A NON PROFITABLE, NON BUSINESS ORGANIZATION.
Oceanbiru – One favour. DON’T CAPITALISE! That’s damn rude, you know? Another thing – whateverla.
“When you are giving, do not let your left hand knows what your right hand is giving”
Heyy,.. I learnt the exact same thing during my Sekolah Agama days!! 😀