Never do something for someone that they can do for themselves. (Bob Lupton, author of Toxic Charity)
That statement has been called “The Golden Rule of Community Development.” In our time some unfortunate people have come to depend on the help of government programs or non-profit charitable organizations. That help is of great value, of course, but of greater and longer-lasting value is helping people learn to become independent and provide for themselves.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up (Romans 15:2).