Is It Good To Give?

It is good to give? That's not how I'd put it. More accurately: it is essential to give.

You, reading these words on this page, are an incredibly lucky person. Why? You are lucky because you have access to the Internet. Access to the Internet itself is a great thing, but what’s more significant is what you must have in order for this; access to the world wide web must mean (that it’s at least highly likely) you have money. In fact, chances are you’re not just receiving enough money to live, but rather, are receiving enough money to thrive. However, not everybody has this. There are hundreds of thousands of people in the world who have to live on the little things that we (Internet users) probably take for granted every day.

Millions in developing countries survive on small amounts of food for large numbers of people. Often, they do not have stable, sheltered homes and access to clean water. Even in Australia, there are so many people who do not have access to the kinds of things we have. One group that instantly comes to mind is the homeless community. There are 105,237 homeless people in Australia; 105,237 people who not only don’t have access to the Internet, but don’t have access to a place to sleep, and can’t fully fund their own food and healthcare needs. They don’t get to have the basic essentials. This is why we need to give. We need to give because it is unfair that so few of the rich own so much of the resources. And, as much as we may not often think it, we (reading this) are (probably) all pretty well-to-do.

According The Global Rich List, even earning only $10,000 net income in Australia puts you in the top 20 per cent of the richest people in the world. So, when (chances are) there are 80 per cent of people in the world who only have a fraction of what we do, how can we keep it all to ourselves? Giving is the key to a more equitable world.

Donating money to charities helps bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Giving money to help fund homeless shelters and accommodation means the homeless have somewhere to sleep. Giving money means the uneducated can seek out an education, so that they may build their lives and choose their course. Giving money is giving opportunities. In saying this, it’s not only money that we should give. It’s not only money that makes a difference. People often say they don’t like to give money because they “don’t know where the money is really going.” Fair enough, because many charitable organisations don’t necessarily donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to charity.

However, there are many ways in which people can be charitable and give without handing over hard money. For example, if you see a homeless person on the street, instead of walking past, why not buy them lunch? And if you have a spare few hours in the week, why not go to a soup kitchen and help prepare food for people who don’t necessarily have access to it? A little something from you can be something so much more for someone else. There are many forms that giving can take, all of them good in their own right. Giving plays a fundamental role in the creation of the fabric of a better society. So, in summary, yes: giving is, without a doubt, good.

Congratulations to Rachel for winning this writing challenge. Rachel wins a $50 Westfield gift card. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!