Of Giving

• Then said a rich man, Speak to us of Giving.

• And he answered:

• You give but little when you give of your possessions.

• It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

• For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

• And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

• And what is fear of need but need itself?

• Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?

• There are those who give little of the much which they have-and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

• And there are those who have little and give it all.

• These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

• There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

• And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

• And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

• They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

• Through the hands of such as there God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

• It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, though understanding;

• And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.

• And is there aught you would withhold?

• All you have shall some day be given;

• Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.

• You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."

• The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

• They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.

• Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you.

• And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.

• And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?

• And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?

• See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.

• For in truth it is life that gives unto life-while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

• And you receivers-and you are all receivers-assume no weight of gratutude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.

• Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;

• For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.