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The question being asked here is whether charity be made voluntary or compelled. This question is evidently directed to the person of goodwill who may want to share his riches to the needy. But have we ever given a single thought that possible recipients of a charity might also reject it? A concrete example worth mentioning here is the present ordeal and struggle of the innocent people of Myanmar, both dead and live. After a flood of water, brought by a powerful cyclone, took hundreds of innocent lives, Myanmar was flooding with love from the international humanitarian groups eager to extend assistance to the victims. The Burmese military rulers, however, rejected it. This is a concrete example of the existence of voluntary charity, on the one hand, and the rejection of the recipient, on the other. Despite the adamant stance and rejection of the military junta on the relief goods and humanitarian aids from across the globe, we can say that charity need not be compelled, because as we see it, countless hearts of goodwill from across the globe are still united in pouring assistance to the people of Myanmar.

It's no man's business to change the world alone, yet three people are certainly better than one, but a united world against poverty is even stronger than any powerful country on earth today. The global war against poverty is a voluntary effort. So compelling other people to do a charity is a futile endeavor. The effort we take in urging them to do a charity against their will is a waste of time and energy compared to the immediate concerns of the people in need of help. The challenge actually begins from within, from our very hearts. I believe that if we dream to change world, change must first begin from within, never from the dictates of other people.

In short, there's no such thing as charity by compulsion; but there's what I call a charity by compassion.

Learn more about this author, Rodolfo N. Lentejas, Jr..
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