Moral issues in South Africa?

Question

Do you have a moral obligation to always help the struggling people in South Africa, to the detriment of your own family.

Things are currently very tight here in SA and I find myself with no spare resources to help other people,as I used to, even the beggars at the street corners asking for a smoke !

Should I start selling some of my redundant "luxury items" and should I feel guilty for having such items ?

Answer 1

No no no..........I was also poor once and worked hard for everything I have, I do not feel guilty and never will, I actually feel proud of myself that I have accomplished so much by myself without any favours ever done for me......Ha I will not sell one thing to help any "struggling" people like car guards etc. I tip generously at restaurants, and always tip car guards, but I will not deny myself anything to help them, I am not Mother Theresa. As for "luxury items" what is that? Is a pair of asics that cost R 1 200, a luxury item, or jewellery, nice car, 2 houses, or for that matter anything nice can be a luxury, like instead of buying a slab of Lindt buy Cadburys and donate the difference to the struggling?? No sorry, do not sell anything, nobody will ever really appreciate it. Donate some money to your church or favourtie charity!

Answer 2

SAgirl you are indeed brave... I hope your boyfriend gets a job soon.

I try not to think of it. If I find spare change in my bag or elsewhere, chances are I didnt need it if I left it in there that long. I dont mind giving away cigarettes, who wants to be greedy when it comes to a dangerous substance? Most of us are wastedul as well.... but no one should feel guilty for living as they do. As long as your hands arent blood stained, you deserve every penny you wake up at 5 in the morning for.

Answer 3

I still pay the carguards. If you don't they will scratch your car the next time you park there. I do never give anything to beggars.

You shouldn't have to sell your possessions. You worked hard for what you have. Neither should you feel guilty.

Unless you need to sell your things to survive, don't. It's yours. Enjoy it.

Answer 4

I wish i had luxury items i could sell then maybe i will be able to survive

I am already looking after my bf who is jobless for the past 4 months i pay the rent, buy food and pay of his bakkie

Answer 5

That's a tough one, but I would say you must help your own family first, what is left over you can use to help others. No one can ever hold it against a man that he supported his own family fist and foremost.

Answer 6

I pay the car guards, tip the waiter, and the petrol attendant.  However, I feel that the government should make it easier for the poor South African people to get food parcels and a grant. we pay tax at the end of he day.  My R5 won't make any difference to a beggar.  Seing that the mealie pap, cooking oil, vegetables and rice has gone up in prices.

Answer 7

I don't regard myself as affluent and agree with Lise's sentiments in their entirety.

Charity starts at home and especially not feeding the mouths of ungrateful savages who would no doubt violently murder you and rape your wife given half the chance.

Answer 8

If need be then yes - sell of those luxury items.

Don't feel guilty

Charity starts at home.

Answer 9

I lead a very simple life and I do not think one should give up ones  luxury to give other people some sort of temporary luxury.When and if your standing strong than it will be easier to help.Some one once told do not weaken the rich to strengthen the poor.

I am a full time volunteer and I use my time for I do not have any luxury items .This computer is the only luxury item and the mother board was built at home.

Answer 10

I know what you mean, i use to buy extra every month for the Danville project, but lately i only manage very second or third month  -  it is not enough, i know,  but i want to give something because i still survive

Answer 11

I like helping people, but not beggars since they are lazy. And a lazy society is the last thing we need.

Answer 12

i experience the same thing. These days I find myself dodging the car guards.