Helping the Poor

Published November 9, 2020

In the dictionary, the proverb “charity begins at home” is interpreted as:

one’s first responsibility is for the needs of one’s own family and friends.

This interpretation, I’m sure, is echoed by many people around the world. But if you take a closer look at this definition, you will notice how selfish it is. And for that very reason, it defeats the true purpose of charity. For Christians, Christian charity is emphasized in bible verses from the old to the new testament.

You see, charity is about compassion, empathy, and the will to make life better for others. Those should not be reserved only for the people you know. If anything, it should be given to those you don’t know.

Just think about this: if Nelson Mandela chose to serve the needs of his family first rather than his fellowmen, the apartheid would still probably be in effect. If Mother Teresa chose to help her friends and family first, many people around the world would still be suffering. Even the bible teaches us that we should love all people as though they are our brothers and sisters.

However, this is not to say that this proverb is wrong. I’m saying that our interpretation of it is slightly off course and it’s high time we correct it.

What “Charity Begins at Home” Really Means

The phrase “charity begins at home” is said to first appear in writing in a 1642 book by Sir Thomas Browne. Yet the exact origin of the phrase is still debated. Though many people agree that it is derived from this bible verse:

But if any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. – 1 Timothy 5:4

But doesn’t this verse just reaffirm that we should put the needs of our family and friends before others? Not really. Besides, there’s nowhere in this verse that suggests that.

What this verse tells us is that we should learn to practice piety at home. And it’s impossible to show piety without learning the virtue of charity.

So there you have it. What the phrase “charity begins at home” really means is exactly what it literally says: charity should start at home. It means that we should be charitable starting with the people at home – our family and the people that we interact with every day. Simple things like being there when they need someone to talk to, sharing your food with them, or comforting them when they’re not feeling well. These simple gestures are a great way to begin practicing charity. But it does not necessarily mean prioritizing their needs above others.

Published Oct 19, 2020

So you love fashion. And you want to support charity. Well, these online stores selling bracelets for a good cause are the perfect shopping destinations for you.

Ever since fashion for a cause became a thing, quite a number of non-profits have started selling fashion items from bags to bracelets. More than just an excellent way to raise funds, it also makes it easier for people like you to combine your love for fashion and charity.

But if you’re thinking that bracelets for a cause are only fashionable during solidarity walks, you’re dead wrong. Many charity bracelets in the offing nowadays really did level up on their aesthetics. You can now use them for everyday wear and may even look great with your favorite cocktail dress. Plus, you can use it to express support for a cause without taking to the streets.

We understand the importance of choosing where to buy charity bracelets. After all, it’s not unheard of for some unscrupulous people to use the name of charity just to make a sale. Besides, you want a portion of your money to go to a cause you care about. So we scoured the internet for suggestions and these sites come highly recommended:

1. Alex and Ani Bracelets

Based in Rhode Island, Alex and Ani does not just sell eco-friendly jewelry. They also partner with non-profit organizations around the world to create charity bracelets. For each bracelet you buy, a portion of it goes to a non-profit organization.

Their charity bracelets come in two types: charm bangles and cord bracelets. Each bracelet design represents the charity it supports. For instance, a portion of the sales from the spiral sun charm bangle goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They have also donated $1 million to UNICEF in an effort to help children from poor families have a better future.

2. Bead the Change

With all of its bracelets made out of recycled glass and plastic bottles, buying jewelry from Bead the Change will surely make mother earth happy. Their bracelets come in different colors each representing an environmental cause. 10% of the $20 price tag for each bracelet will be given to the charities that support the causes it represents.

These simple beaded bracelets may not look much but on your wrist, it serves as a protest and a reminder. A protest on the abuses humans has done to our planet and a reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect nature.

Published July 22, 2020

Giving back to the community is a selfless act that not only benefits the disadvantaged but gives an unquantifiable amount of joy to the giver as well.

But for most people, giving to charity occurs mainly as an afterthought. Meaning, they only give when they feel like it or if they have the extra funds.

While there is no standard amount for charity, it’s still better if you can give on a regular basis. To do this, you must plan for it and include it in your budget.

So how much of your money should go to charity?

Strictly speaking, it all depends on you. You know how much you earn and how much you spend. Surely there’s room for charity somewhere in between. You don’t have to donate more than you can afford. Any amount can make a difference. As they say, it’s the thought that counts.

If you’re still not sure, you can always use the 50/30/20 budget rule.

What is the 50/30/20 Budget Rule?

Popularized by Senator Elizabeth Warren, the 50/30/20 budget rule provides a simple guide on how to divide your after-tax income.

Under this budgeting method, 50% should go to needs, 30% to wants, and the remaining 20% to savings.

Needs include the basic things you need to live such as:

• food
• rent
• utilities
• clothing
• transportation

Mortgage payments, car amortizations, credit card payments, and student loan payments also fall into this category.

Published April 4, 2020

What if you can donate to charity while surfing the net and without spending anything? Fortunately, this is not just a “what if” anymore.

A web extension called “Tab For a Cause” allows you to do just that: donate to charity by browsing the web. You only need to add the extension to your browser. Every time you open a tab, the company will donate a fraction of a cent to charity.

This might not look much but with so many internet users, it can reach thousands of dollars. In fact, the company has raised more than $800,000 as of March 2020. The money raised is donated to charities such as:

• Action Against Hunger
• Save the Children
• Give Directly
• Water.org
• Educate!

Tab For a Cause also relies on services like Charity Navigator and GiveWell to ensure that they are supporting the right charities. They also have a monthly charity spotlight where they support a new charity recommended by their users.

These all sound good and easy. Too good to be true, in fact, that many internet users are wondering: is it legit?

Yes, Tab For a Cause is legit. Since it was launched in 2012, it has donated at least 30% of its earnings in various charities around the world. The charity also regularly issues quarterly financial reports.

How Does Tab For a Cause Work?

Tab For a Cause takes on the business model of passive charity apps like Charity Miles and Snooze App. It converts daily routine practices into acts of kindness.

First, you have to add the extension to your browser. Depending on your internet speed, this will only take a few seconds to several minutes at most. As of now, the extension only works on Firefox and Chrome.

Once the extension is added, it will take you to a new tab with a beautiful interface (instead of the usual blank screen display). Every time you open a new tab, you get one “heart” which is also shown on the new tab’s interface.

You can donate this heart to a charity of your choice as long as it’s supported by Tab For a Cause. One heart is equivalent to one-tenth of a cent. So 1,500 hearts will let you donate roughly $1.5 to charity. Not bad considering you’re only just doing what you regularly do.

So how does Tab For a Cause make money?

Aside from a beautiful interface, the new tab will also display small banner ads at the bottom corner. Tab For a Cause collects money from these ads. The money collected is used for operations and donations to charity.

Published March 6, 2020

Jesus once said that whatever we do to the least of our neighbors, we do to Him. So if you really want to serve Him, the best way to start is by serving the needy.

You don’t have to be Mother Teresa or Mahatma Gandhi. All of us are called to be servants of Christ in our own ways. Simple acts of kindness like giving food to the homeless or helping old people cross the street – all these things will greatly please the Lord.

If you need more inspiration, here are bible verses about serving others:

Old Testament

When you are generous to the poor, you are enriched with blessings in return. Proverbs 22:9

Do not withhold good from those whom it is due when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. Isaiah 58:10

Published March 5, 2020

Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in things? Or perhaps you’re having a hard time locating things around your house? These could be signs that you have too much stuff at home.

But “too much” can vary for each person. Having more clothes than what they can wear in a week or two can be too much for some. But it can be just right for others. If you want to know whether you have too much stuff or not, here are some good indicators:

• You have a hard time navigating your house from all the things cluttered on the floor.
• You barely have enough space to sit or sleep.
• You always have to buy replacements as you can’t find the original.
• You and other people at home don’t know where things are most of the time.
• Some of your stuff has to be stored outside your house.
• You’re embarrassed by the appearance of your house.
• People at home are ashamed of inviting company over.
• You’re always saving the good stuff for later.

If you can relate to most of the above, don’t fret just yet. Here are some tips on what you can do with all that extra stuff.

Throw Away Those That Can’t Be Salvaged

If you take a quick survey of the stuff you own, you’ll notice that a significant part of it is beyond salvage. That can include a broken phone, dried-out pens or even moldy old bread that’s been sitting at the back of your pantry. Throwing all those away can be a good starting point to declutter your home.

Sort Items According to Frequency of Use

After getting rid of things that are not anymore useful, sort the remaining items on their frequency of use. Put the things you frequently use in easily accessible storage spaces. While stuff which you only use once a year, like your winter clothing or Christmas decor, should be safely stored away.

Evaluate The Sentimental Value

How many of your stuff are you keeping because you’re used to it and how many have actual sentimental value? Most of the time, we hold on to a thing because it’s always been there. But what we don’t notice is it’s taking up the space that’s supposed to be for the things with real sentimental value.

Set Your Priorities

If you have limited space, setting your priorities is essential. Always take into consideration the amount of storage space you have when sorting out which stuff to keep. Decide if things like that sweater you impulsively bought a few years ago and have never yet worn are still worth keeping. If you have no plans to wear it in the future, then better save that closet space and get rid of it.