Charity and Justice

Charity is like giving a man a fish. Justice is having policies that allow a man to catch his own fish. Charity deals with immediate needs. Justice addresses long-term conditions, promoting social change in institutions, policies and systems. Giving someone a food basket is charity. Giving someone a living wage so she can buy her own food is justice. Sending money to missions is charity. Buying fair trade products of poor farmers in Third World nations so they can take care of their own livelihood is justice. Housing the homeless is charity. Treating a homeless veteran for mental illness and chemical dependency so he can hold a job and pay rent is justice. Giving free healthcare is charity. Making insurance affordable so people can pay the premium is justice. Allowing destitute immigrants into our country is charity. Have Fair Trade Agreements with Third World Countries is justice.
Charity is satisfying and generally non-controversial. Justice can step on our toes and can be quite controversial.