Charity

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”
-Bob Hope

I thought Bob Hope was a great guy. He was a talented comedian that could be funny without being shrewd, and he was a very self-giving person. You don't find many people like that in the world today.

Think about this: How many times do you find yourself in an argument - regardless of which side you are on - about being a giving or charitable person? I'm certain that you have co-workers, classmates, family members, or friends with whom you discuss the problems of the world with, and sometimes even find that the discussion gets a little heated. I mean, after all, when the discussion is about raising taxes to help the poor, getting rid of the welfare system so that lazy people get a job, or instituting universal healthcare so that poor people can get treated for diseases regardless of cost, arguments are bound to break out.

Then you have Bob Hope. Bob Hope very well may have argued any of the above topics, (and probably more) but regardless of his stances on anything, he didn't just talk... he DID. He flew overseas during the war to rally our troops when they needed a pick-me up, broadcast most of his radio shows from US air bases, and performed for military units 'round the world. There is no other person on the planet that can say that they spent 50 years with the US military doing nothing but encouraging and increasing morale with the men and women that defended our country from the Nazis, Communists, and Hussein. 50 years the man lived a life of service. 50 years.

I had a discussion this week with a group that was talking about charity. Be it supporting the troops, the destitute, the ill, or the ill-of-heart, there were definitely those people who were very uncomfortable about opening their wallet or spending their time in areas that needed time and money.

Nobody in this group takes a stance against poor people, the troops, or any other person for that matter that has a direct role in helping others. We all, however, have different opinions on how to solve the problems of poverty, illness, and suffering. My question to you is this: How much time do you spending arguing about it vs. doing something about it? How comfortable are you with putting your money where your mouth is? How much have you contributed to your 'cause'? How many times have you volunteered for those less fortunate than you? How comfortable are you with your amount of charity and giving?

Bob Hope said that if you haven't got any charity in your heart that you have the worst kind of heart trouble. If that describes you, then may I boldly suggest finding a charity, a service project, a soup kitchen, or any other worthy institution that gives help to those that need it, no matter what that help is. Remember that no matter how much you have, you will always have something to give.

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!