On Giving

Then said a rich man, Speak to us ofGiving.

And he answered:

You give but little when you give ofyour possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that youtruly give.

For what are your possessions but thingsyou keep and guard for fear you may needthem tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bringto the overprudent dog burying bonesin the trackless sand as he follows thepilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but needitself?

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

There are those who give little of themuch which they have--and they giveit for recognition and their hiddendesire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little andgive it all.

These are the believers in life andthe bounty of life, and their coffer isnever empty.

There are those who give with joy, andthat 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 knownot pain in giving, nor do they seekjoy, nor give with mindfulness ofvirtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtlebreathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these Godspeaks, and from behind their eyes Hesmiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but itis better to give unasked, throughunderstanding;

And to the open-handed the search forone who shall receive is joy greaterthan giving.

And is there aught you would withhold?

All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the seasonof giving may be yours and not yourinheritors’.

You often say, “I would give, but onlyto the deserving.”

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

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

Surely he who is worthy to receive hisdays and his nights, is worthy of allelse from you.

And he who has deserved to drink fromthe ocean of life deserves to fill hiscup from your little stream.

And what desert greater shall there be,than that which lies in the courageand the confidence, nay the charity, ofreceiving?

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

See first that you yourself deserve tobe a giver, and an instrument of giving.

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

And you receivers--and you areall receivers--assume no weight ofgratitude, lest you lay a yoke uponyourself and upon him who gives.

Rather rise together with the giver onhis gifts as on wings;

For to be overmindful of your debt, isto doubt his generosity who has thefreehearted earth for mother, and Godfor father.