Wednesday, May 10, 2006

A Brit Looks at America's Culture of Giving

BBC correspondent Matt Frei says:
Americans give to schools, hospitals, libraries, galleries and the poor like no other country in the world.

Last year, American citizens gave more money to victims of the tsunami than their government did.

Yes, charity can be written off against tax, but it is also hard-wired into the psyche of a nation founded by pilgrims and enriched by private enterprise.

It is impossible to imagine modern America without philanthropy, because so many of the institutions funded by the state in Europe are financed by private citizens in this country...

...Whether it is the quest for a legacy, the desire to change the world, the determination not to spoil one's children or simply the tax code, Americans - wealthy and not so wealthy - are giving their dollars away by the lorry load.

And the rest of the world has a long way to catch up.
Read the whole thing.

Giving has always been part of American culture, a clear legacy of our Christian roots. May it continue!

Read here about the role of giving in the Christian life.

2 comments:

K T Cat said...

We also give hats and hair!

:-)

Sorry, Mark, I couldn't resist.

Sure you don't want to join the WOG Squad?

Mark Daniels said...

Thanks to both of you, Charlie and KT for your comments.

Mark