How can we justify spending $ on ourselves when if we donated $ to a charity we could save a life?

Question

I'm talking about extraneous things--a pretty skirt, a scoop of ice cream. Or even an expensive college education. It seems so unfair to say, "my happiness is more important than your life."

But the implications of accepting that you shouldn't spend money on yourself are tricky. Does that mean that the purpose of life is to help others? That buying anything that isn't completely necessary for life is morally wrong? Where do you draw the line? And why?

Answer 1

In theory giving to the needy is a great concept. But if you research how these organizations that we donate to really work you may think twice.
They accept money and the bank it. they allow it to draw interest and they never use the money except to make money they only give out the interest off the money donated. I say give out the money but they do not give out anything they loan out the money you do have to pay it back if they help you. it is at a low interest but you still pay back. this money you pay back is not taxed and goes into another account which is used in promotional ads to get people to give this money also isn't taxed. in fact none of their money is taxed and never do they give a single dime to anyone but loan it to them. It is one of the biggest government funded cash cow there is yet because they tag it is non-profitable they pray on the good will of others. It is a play of words saying your money you give is unprofitable and they are right but what they do not tell you is it sitting in a ban collecting interest is profit to them and so is the money being paid back.

Answer 2

Okay.. there is a big difference between buying a skirt and buying a college education. Its okay to take care of yourself, but there is a limit. Are you buying a $50 dollar skirt or a $500 skirt? Are you driving a honda or a bentley?

If you truly want to help others you need to think about the ways that you as an individual can make the greatest impact. Im not saying its right but money, degrees, and prestige all talk. If you really want to help people, you will have a larger impact by educating yourself. So in that sense i think a college degree is actually going to give you more power to help people and learn how to be most effective in your approach.

Answer 3

If we continually give away our money (or time or whatever) for the benefit of others that could potentially lead us to the same end that we are trying to help others out of. Perhaps, morality is not so narrow as to be that completely black and white. I personally like the nice things I have worked so hard to be able to purchase. I have been down and out, but now I am relatively comfortable. I have never taken charity and would have to be extremely hard up to even consider taking it. So, don't be ashamed to buy that new skirt or fancy guitar. Give what you can comfortably afford to give and let the chips fall where they may!!

Answer 4

I think that there has to be a balance between giving to charities and taking care of yourself.

Most people need to have decent clothes to succeed in an office environment, and people need to treat themselves every once in a while to something totally for themselves. So, a shopping trip once in a while or a treat is fine - as long as you can still pay the bills and you give to charity.

Also, you can clean out your closets and donate the clothes that you do not wear or that do not fit to charity. You can donate to food banks and food drives. You can give money to those who are collecting for medical bills or to foundations that raise money to combat illnesses.

When you do things right, you will find a balance for treating yourself to the things that you want and giving to charitable causes. Buying yourself something nice feels good, and giving to those who need it feels good too - especially when you are helping to save a life, giving toys to less fortunate children, or helping a struggling parent put food on the table.

Answer 5

You're assuming that donating money to charity saves lives. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it hurts those you're trying to help.

When food was sent to Ethiopia in the 80's and 90's, it rotted in warehouses. The people needed roads and trucks and not food. The problem was distribution, not famine.

When free food is sent to Africa, local farmers can't sell thier food for less than some other middle man can sell the food that they got for free. This destroys local industry and entrepreneurship.

Same goes for donated shoes, clothes, etc.

Free formula, has increased the population in impoverished areas (breast feeding is a natural contraceptive).

Many of Africas problems are made worse by well-intended charities.

Answer 6

Not real. The greater query could be if the barrier destroyed any lives. The reply is sure. The barrier cuts via Palestinian farms and lands in zig-zag or even encircles whole villages chopping them from the relaxation of Palestine. The wall de facto annexes significant proportion of West Bank's such a lot fertile land and water assets to Israel. If the cause is to avoid wasting the lives at the Israeli part from West Bank assaults, why did not Israel simply construct the wall at the border with West Bank? This manner lives could be stored with out destroying lives and homes at the different part. But of path that used to be no longer the cause. People who help the barrier in its present kind both suppose that destroying Palestinian lives as collective punishment for suicide assaults is fine, or that Palestinian lives are much less primary than Israeli - I can not consider of every other rationalization. Either manner I view this organization of persons as no one-of-a-kind than the Nazis or apartheid South Africans. Ask your self, what did Israel do to preserve THE PALESTINIANS from ILLEGAL settlers assaults? Nothing, the settlements handiest maintain to flourish. This proves my usual factor.

Answer 7

I agree. We squander money left and right on things we don't need when people are suffering all over the world. We all need to give a few dollars to some of the worthy causes out there; if we all gave a little, we could make a huge difference.

Donations for UNICEF's Emergency Reponse Fund can be made here: http://www.unicefusa.org/ert/jitna

Answer 8

Taking away others money for our benefit is bad(unjustifiable). Giving our hard earned money for others benefit is good. But using our money for ourself is nither good nor bad.
If at a moment we feel a sense of responsibility and decide to donate we may donate, otherwise not and there is no need to feel guilty about it.
Are you in any way responsible for others troubles? If so, then you will feel that you should help them. Otherwise you may think "had I been in place of that miserable person would I hold others responsible for it?" If not, then enjoy.
May be purpose of other people's life is to help others including you and they are doing their duty well.

Answer 9

Basically, it comes down to a simple question to ask yourself. That is do you need what you are considering spending your money on, or is just something that you want, but really don't need. If you don't need whatever it is, maybe the money would be better spent helping others to get what they need.

Answer 10

You give a portion of your income to charity, but you need not give exorbitantly in relation to said income. It would be better to give of yourself.