Public service is a way of life for Americans; giving is a part
of our national character. But compassionate instincts and generous
spirits aren't enough, says veteran urban activist Robert D.
Lupton. In this groundbreaking guide, he reveals the disturbing
truth about charity: all too much of it has become toxic,
devastating to the very people it's meant to help.
In his four decades of urban ministry, Lupton has experienced
firsthand how our good intentions can have unintended, dire
consequences. Our free food and clothing distribution encourages
ever-growing handout lines, diminishing the dignity of the poor
while increasing their dependency. We converge on inner-city
neighborhoods to plant flowers and pick up trash, battering the
pride of residents who have the capacity (and responsibility) to
beautify their own environment. We fly off on mission trips to
poverty-stricken villages, hearts full of pity and suitcases
bulging with giveaways--trips that one Nicaraguan leader describes
as effective only in "turning my people into beggars."
In Toxic Charity, Lupton urges individuals, churches, and
organizations to step away from these spontaneous, often
destructive acts of compassion toward thoughtful paths to community
development. He delivers proven strategies for moving from toxic
charity to transformative charity.
Proposing a powerful "Oath for Compassionate Service" and
spotlighting real-life examples of people serving not just with
their hearts but with proven strategies and tested tactics, Lupton
offers all the tools and inspiration we need to develop healthy,
community-driven programs that produce deep, measurable, and
lasting change. Everyone who volunteers or donates to charity needs
to wrestle with this book.
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