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Chapter 5 - Giving |
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said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving." |
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| 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 to morrow? And to-morrow, what shall to-morrow
bring to the ovcr-prudent dog burying bones in the
track less 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. |
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| 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 these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He
smiles Upon the earth. |
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| It is well to give when asked, but it is better
to give unasked, through 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'. |
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| 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. |
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| And you receivers-and you are all receivers- assume
no weight of gratitude, 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. |
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