By Karen Thoms, Grand Rapids Public Library, West Side Branch
Using the kindheartedness of most Americans as a backdrop, Robert Lupton’s Toxic Charity shows how the choices we make to express our compassion can have negative consequences on the very people we hope to help. It is a hard read because most of us who give have done some of the things he identifies as damaging. Yet he does not leave us to wallow in guilt or shame but quickly charts a course correction for givers that can make a restorative difference in the lives of hurting people.
Throughout the book Lupton walks us through actual situations where people or churches are giving time or money. Outcomes of these efforts are gleaned and measured. The stark findings command our attention: much of our giving is a Band-Aid and sometimes the results are disastrous! Lupton is able to turn our good intentions upside down to reveal pages of negative repercussions. We are brought up short story after story and then faced with the hard truth. There are no quick fixes when we are hoping to help people toward wholeness here or abroad. Being willing to consider Lupton’s assessments is a first step toward moving from hurtful aid to wholeness and development.
Helping agencies and compassionate people will be challenged by the evidence in this book. Armed with this new knowledge Lupton turns the reader’s attention to the cure as he proposes an Oath for Compassionate Service, describes in detail what service with dignity looks like, and finally suggests steps to reaching the better outcomes we had hoped for in the first place. After reading Toxic Charity you will likely be changed in how you evaluate the use of your resources.
