From the Publisher
Lupton says hard things that need to be said, and he’s earned the right to say them. Believers would do well to receive his words with the mindset that ‘faithful are the wounds of a friend.’” — Christianity Today
“[Lupton’s] new book, Toxic Charity, draws on his 40 years’ experience as an urban activist in Atlanta, and he argues that most charitable work is ineffective or actually harmful to those it is supposed to help.” — Washington Post
“Lupton’s work, his books and, most importantly, his life continue to guide and encourage me to live and serve in a way that honors God and my neighbor. I highly recommend Toxic Charity.” — Danny Wuerffel, Executive Director, Desire Street Ministries
“Lupton’s book reminds us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He shows how the people called poor can be blessed by supporting opportunities for them to give their gifts, skills, knowledge and wisdom to creating the future.” — John McKnight, Codirector, Asset Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University
“A must-read book for those who give or help others.” — Booklist
“In Toxic Charity, Lupton reminds us that being materialistically poor does not mean that there is no capacity, no voice, and no dignity within a person. If we truly love the poor, we will want to educate ourselves on how best to serve. Let our charity be transformative not toxic.” — Roger Sandberg, Executive Director of Medair International
“A superb book. Toxic Charity should serve as a guide and course correction for anyone involved in charitable endeavors at home or abroad.” — Ronald W. Nikkel, President, Prison Fellowship International
“Toxic Charity provides the needed counterbalance to a kind heart: a wise mind. Though I often thought, “Ouch!” while I was reading the book, Robert Lupton gave this pastor what I needed to become a more effective leader.” — Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland – A Church Distributed
“When Bob Lupton speaks of the inner city, the rest of us ought to sit up and take notice... [His work is] deeply distrurbing—in the best sense of the word.” — Philip Yancey, author of What Good Is God?
“Top 10 book of the year.” — World Magazine
Roger Sandberg
In Toxic Charity, Lupton reminds us that being materialistically poor does not mean that there is no capacity, no voice, and no dignity within a person. If we truly love the poor, we will want to educate ourselves on how best to serve. Let our charity be transformative not toxic.
Danny Wuerffel
Lupton’s work, his books and, most importantly, his life continue to guide and encourage me to live and serve in a way that honors God and my neighbor. I highly recommend Toxic Charity.
John McKnight
Lupton’s book reminds us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He shows how the people called poor can be blessed by supporting opportunities for them to give their gifts, skills, knowledge and wisdom to creating the future.
Christianity Today
Lupton says hard things that need to be said, and he’s earned the right to say them. Believers would do well to receive his words with the mindset that ‘faithful are the wounds of a friend.’
Washington Post
[Lupton’s] new book, Toxic Charity, draws on his 40 years’ experience as an urban activist in Atlanta, and he argues that most charitable work is ineffective or actually harmful to those it is supposed to help.
Dr. Joel C. Hunter
Toxic Charity provides the needed counterbalance to a kind heart: a wise mind. Though I often thought, “Ouch!” while I was reading the book, Robert Lupton gave this pastor what I needed to become a more effective leader.
Ronald W. Nikkel
A superb book. Toxic Charity should serve as a guide and course correction for anyone involved in charitable endeavors at home or abroad.
Philip Yancey
When Bob Lupton speaks of the inner city, the rest of us ought to sit up and take notice... [His work is] deeply distrurbing—in the best sense of the word.
World Magazine
Top 10 book of the year.
Booklist
A must-read book for those who give or help others.
Booklist
A must-read book for those who give or help others.
Washington Post
[Lupton’s] new book, Toxic Charity, draws on his 40 years’ experience as an urban activist in Atlanta, and he argues that most charitable work is ineffective or actually harmful to those it is supposed to help.
From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY
"A must-read book for those who give or help others." —Booklist
Doctor - Joel C. Hunter
"Toxic Charity provides the needed counterbalance to a kind heart: a wise mind. Though I often thought, "Ouch!" while I was reading the book, Robert Lupton gave this pastor what I needed to become a more effective leader."
Library Journal - Audio
06/01/2015
In this provocative book, Lupton (founder, FCS Urban Ministries; Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life) eloquently explains how and why we should rethink our models for charitable programs. Too many charitable programs, while well intentioned, best serve short-term emergency situations, while long-term community development has the highest impact and the ability to transform a community. Lupton shows that short-term relief programs that continue for many years can actually foster dependency, whereas developmental charity improves the community and has long-term benefits. Lupton also raises concerns about church missions. These expensive trips are about insight for the teen missionaries rather than the community they are supposed to help and instead place a burden on the receiving mission. The sum spent on the journey could do more for the mission if it were able to use local skilled labor rather than unskilled volunteers who must be housed and fed by the mission. Lupton here draws on his long personal experience in ministry to promote ideas and strategies worthy of serious consideration. Patrick Lawlor is a warmly persuasive narrator. VERDICT Recommended for anyone who volunteers or donates to charity.—Cynthia Jensen, Plano P.L., TX
