Rarely has the axiom ?to whom much has been given, much is expected? rung more true than in the case of the Asian disaster.

With the death toll from the tsunami reaching more than 70,000, this is one of the worst natural catastrophes in recent memory.

By contrast, Bermuda is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and while it may have its problems, they cannot compare to the suffering that is now occurring from Indonesia to Sri Lanka to the East Coast of Africa.

For that reason alone, Bermuda residents should give generously to the victims of the disaster. But there are more reasons to give than that. Christmas is about giving and the media has been filled with heart-warming stories about acts of kindness that have occurred lately.

But Christmas is also about consumption and it is worth taking a look around at the enormous amounts of stuff that have just been exchanged. Much of it is, no doubt, very nice and some of it is probably very useful too. But not much of it is really necessary to our survival or well being.

Compare that to the plight of the millions of Asians who have lost family members, their homes and all of their belongings. Surely giving something to help them is worth more than all the gifts that went under the tree just a day before the tragedy struck.

And finally, we should all remember that ?there but for the grace of God go I?. Just as Bermudians gave so generously to the Caribbean islands hit by hurricanes this year in part because we knew we could be in the same boat, so we should give to the victims of the Asian tsunamis because we too could find ourselves the victims of a tidal surge, which could easily be caused by a hurricane, and might be caused by an earthquake.

It?s worth remembering too, that there are now many Malaysians, Indians and Sri Lankans working in Bermuda?s hotels, keeping this vital industry going. Some will have lost homes and family members in this tragedy, and giving something to restoring their homelands is the least that we can do.

In the end, though, no persuasion should be needed. It?s human nature to give to those who are suffering and Asia is suffering now. We should all give what we can.