An extremely well written book geared toward "faith based " charity. The insight that one-way charity can easily turn into dependency and is often more harmful than good.The programs that are more positive and affective are "community " based and give the residents an opportunity to be part of every aspect of the process. Those who are personally invested are more likely to be most successful and survive a longtime.A very interesting and insightful read. "Toxic Charity" will turn your thinking about charitable giving, volunteerism and other service experiences on its head. Which is good! Robert Lupton makes some sound arguments for why the traditional way of making a difference - food pantries, mission trips, etc. - may actually be doing more harm than good in communities that really need greater change and investment.Two of his arguments really stuck out for me... probably because they directly impact some types of giving I've been involved with in the past. First, Lupton makes the argument that free "giveaways" - think food, clothes, Christmas gifts, etc. - are not as beneficial as the givers may think. The key question to ask here is: What is the long-term effect I'm having on the recipients and their lives/communities by providing these handouts? The honest answer may be: dependency and expectation. Instead of helping someone get a job and earn money to pay for their own food/clothes/Christmas gifts, this type of charity is simply breeding dependence on handouts.The second example that hit home with me was regarding mission trips. As a loyal youth-group member growing up, I participated in a number of mission trips. And, I always thought I was doing some good. Looking back on my experience, Lupton's arguments make a lot more sense. Really what I was doing was "missionary tourism," not necessarily providing a meaningful impact on those I was helping. An example may be a church sending their youth group to a far-away country to help paint a school. In reality, for the cost of getting all those people to that country, someone could have hired local painters to do the work for a fraction of the cost and provide double the benefit for the community (a school gets painted, the painters earn money.) I am certain that when I traveled on mission trips as a youth-group member, my lack of skills in building/painting/repair may have hindered more than helped. I certainly felt good about my experience, but "tourists" usually do.Lupton certainly points out that changing perspectives from one type of giving to another is not easy. Focusing on community development instead of a one-time community service project takes some commitment and determination. The book is full of checklists and questions that should be asked when undertaking any community service project. While the book has the word "church" in its subtitle, the lessons and advice are certainly not meant exclusively for the church community. These lessons should be considered by the much wider non-profit charity network, regardless of religious affiliation.I will certainly take a much closer look at the ways my money and time are allocated in regards to charitable giving after reading Lupton's eye-opening book.
What do You think about Toxic Charity (2011)?
Shows what doesn't work- good suggestions for what will???
—insomniacc3
Pretty good. Definitely going to pass it around.
—num
Fantastic book! Anyone in ministry must read!!!
—quinconces
