Is charity for all? Have your say

Do levels of generosity equate to wealth? With the few super rich exceptions of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, ongoing research shows that those earning less than the average wage consistently give more per capita than those who earn considerably more.

And this is not just the case in Australia – the same evidence is found in other Western countries. When considering that in many cases, charitable donations are tax deductable, surely it would make sense for people who can afford more to give more – surely it would also be good for their reputation to do so.

Because when you think about it – excluding the novelty factor, who will be known better in history for humankind; Warren Buffett or Donald Trump?

But that doesn’t answer why so many people who can least afford it, still per capital give more. And this could be an ingrained quality too. A recent story in New Scientist magazine said that those earning less were also more empathetic to those experiencing hardship than the wealthier.

Would this suggest that those more used to hardship have a better empathy for those also experiencing it? Would this also imply that money can make people more miserly? Would this be a surprise?

However, it doesn’t negate the reality of the Buffetts and Gates of this world who are willing to give giant portions of their wealth to charity and self-generating charity – billions of dollars. Does giving away so much money fly in the face that money is the root of all evil and that wealth equates to greed?

Have your say…