On Rational vs Emotional Charity
This summer I traveled to New York, and what struck me was the pervasive homelessness — dozens of people sleeping in street tents or even on bare asphalt.
Seeing this, I believe every person who is doing good themselves must think about how they could help. But given the scale of the problem, the question quickly transforms into: "Can I help at all? Whatever I do would be a drop in the ocean."
A night tent in the niche of a luxury boutique. So sadly descriptive of Manhattan.
Let us first consult the Bible for an answer.
The Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41–44)
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on."