When the richer countries give money to the poorer countries this does not solve long-term problems. The money is spent on short-term needs like feeding the starving. Often when large amounts of money are sent through Governments, this can make the developing country’s Government know they can rely on richer countries to support them. These makes the Government become ‘lazy’ and they do not consider improving their country.
However the counter argument to this would be that short-term aid is needed to keep people alive. There would be little point building something for the long-term if all the people it was intended for were dead. Short-term assistance can deal with the current problems e.g. if there has been a natural disaster.
Christians should also put pressure on Governments to change the Trade Rules and cancel third-world debt. This could probably have better effects than some charity i.e. giving money.
However some Third –world Governments are corrupt and when money is given to them it is not spent on the things intended for. For example some would rather spend it on weapons! This is a very good example of how Christians don’t want charity to be like.
There are ways of getting round this however, charities like C.A.F.O.D challenge political policies, and also deal directly with those in need, missing out the Government to make sure that the money is spent correctly. This shows a way that Christians intend their money to work.
Some people would argue that ‘hand-outs’ do nothing to help people get out of a problem but encourage them to become dependant upon others. However Charity is not only ‘hand-outs’, some charity aims to educate people into doing things for themselves e.g. C.A.F.O.D’s slogan “ Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” By teaching people to fend for themselves, they are giving people pride, empowerment and a motivation to live. This is one of the long –term, positive effects charity can have.
After looking at all of the evidence I disagree with the statement. I think that if charity is given in the correct ways to the correct people then it becomes a great help to those in need and can teach them to sustain life for themselves.
