Religions encourage to give 10% of our earnings to charity/poor. Philosophies like “If you want something, give it away" Or “Giving money will create more wealth for you" also support charity. Charities, NGOs today are transcending countries, cultures, and religions. However, where does the charities end? Is it all fictional humbug that begins and ends charity or is there more to it? Will food security bill solve problems of the poor? Is it not encouraging slavery? or should we educate poor how to catch the fish for themselves?

Earlier it was responsibility of kings or religious establishments or wealthier class, today common man has enough money, world is more democratized, people have more choices and liberties. Twitter, Facebook and various other social mediums are being used to create positive change in the world. But even today, people often doubt if their donations are really going towards the cause or just in the charity operating expenses.

Question remains the same - Why should we support a NGO or social work organization? Why should we really give to charity? Why should we serve something other than ourselves? Why is accumulation for self bad?

Simple answer is that Charity and collective social initiatives for noble causes often multiplies good work. It is also a way of giving back to the world we belong to. Today people are contributing in different ways. Like tangible benefits of making special events for causes, supporting artists, encouraging new ideas, new scientific researches, education and religious unity etc.

Whenever we give charity in terms of time or money, we are directly contributing toward something we feel has importance. It could be food, poverty, global warming, orphans, love - real question is to find something with enough importance which you can support lifetime with your pocket money. Psychologist suggest that ‘Helping behavior’ of humans is difficult to explain.

Charity or helping others is a part of who we are. It improves our self worth in many ways; feeling of making a difference, becoming more positive, supporting causes you believe in, meeting new like-minded people - all these are the obvious reasons that initiate charity. Sometimes, people feel a “Warm glow" in themselves after charity. Some beleive, helping acts bring a surprising number of physical and mental health benefits ranging from reduced stress and depression, a greater sense of life satisfaction and in the case of corporate volunteering, helps them in their public relations, spreads a good word about them, motivate employees, increases productivity, and reassure customers that they are right minded organization.

Charity in some cases seen as philanthropy and in some cases as done with intention to benefit ourselves. Some thinkers claim that giving is a sign of weakness and that only selfish and stupid people give! Critical thinking can keep us away from giving because charity is about faith and hope, a subject of heart and not mind. And many times we have experienced that heart is smarter than the head. Giving is a prayer and not a calculation. However, the more people ‘Think’ about how to give, or why they should give, they’re less likely to give.

What kind of things can you do to make a difference for others? You can prepare meals for Temples, Churches, Gurudwaras; give few hours to an old man in your neighbors, just talk with others, travel to a distant relative in time of need.