Letters to the Editor | March 30, 2012

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Making a difference

In these times of economic crisis and debate on the role of government, there's actually something very simple -- though not easy -- that Americans can do to make a difference right now: increase our charitable giving. We tend to think of charity as Christian duty and something that makes us feel good, but it actually has benefits on a large scale. For example: 1) The thousands of charities in the country spend their money promptly on services, but on different schedules, making for a smoother stimulus effect on the economy; 2) Charities spend their funds on necessities, such as food, ever-so-slightly re-orienting our economy around products and jobs that are more resilient in recessionary spending freezes; 3) Charities buy goods tax-free, meaning every $1 a charity spends generates a full $1 of private economic activity; better yet, some of that tax is recovered as income tax on the recipient businesses, who might not have gotten that income otherwise; 4) Donations are tax-deductible, meaning that a larger portion of your income stays in the local economy; 5) Charitable donations are, by far, the most democratic means of improving society. Whether it is birth control or bombers, everyone dislikes something the government mandates expenditure on, so donations restore a bit of individual say-so. These points are not a call, in general, for cutting government programs, as they are critical to many people's basic survival. However, Jesus was very appreciative of willing, individual giving, and a well-off Christian society should constantly be evolving toward the point where such programs are not necessary. The benefits of charity are bigger than we think -- it is the ultimate case of doing well by doing good.

Bryan Kirchoff

St. Louis