(This is a repost of my original article posted in LiteracyBase Site which has been closed recently.)
This question may be answered objectively or subjectively depending on the situation or outlook of an individual. Are you amendable for that?
Let's illustrate this in three different angle, depicting by three different persons. This would be well appreciated and understood if it is presented that way. We may have the clear point of view to analyze which among them is a true giver based on their actions. You may also put yourself on their shoes if it were in your case.
So this will be a case of a rich person, of an ordinary man, and a mouth-to-hand individual. It's up to you where you prefer to side. You are entitled for your choice or decision to make.
Let's take the different life's situation like for example a rich person. He has, of course, lots of money in bank, in business and in every undertaking he has had. He gives or donates to the orphanage, to the charity with his name being publicly displayed. He earns what he gives like a recognition, like an accolade given by such institution. In so doing, he is happy. He is elated but in reality he is not happy. It is because what he gives, what he donates is already an excess of his wealth, of his possession. Though his intention is to help those who are needy, who are poor, and who are least privilege in life.
Here's another situation. This man is earning an average income from his job. Whenever he sees someone who is begging in public, he gives what he has extra from his pocket. He is an occasional giver. It is his pleasure once he has done something for the poor, for the needy and he never earns anything from such benevolent actions. He feels something relief once he gives. It is more enough for him once he gives. His happiness is just enough for his good deeds.
And the last situation is trying hard person who has no permanent job or sufficient income to support himself, his family. He sometimes couldn't eat a single meal for he prefer his family not to starve. It is too insulting for himself to give what he has in his pocket for it is not even enough to feed his family. But there is an occasion what he has in his possession he willingly gives it to the beggar who hasn't even eaten the whole day. He went home with nothing to give to his wife. He told his wife of what he had done. His wife understood him. She was even assured by his wife that they have still something to eat for the day.
Which among those three person has demonstrated the true value of "it is more blessed to give than to receive"? Are they in our present society or in the community where we live in? Or are you one of them?
image credits: begging by maxlkt, Pixabay, Public Domain
This question may be answered objectively or subjectively depending on the situation or outlook of an individual. Are you amendable for that?
So this will be a case of a rich person, of an ordinary man, and a mouth-to-hand individual. It's up to you where you prefer to side. You are entitled for your choice or decision to make.
Rich Person
Let's take the different life's situation like for example a rich person. He has, of course, lots of money in bank, in business and in every undertaking he has had. He gives or donates to the orphanage, to the charity with his name being publicly displayed. He earns what he gives like a recognition, like an accolade given by such institution. In so doing, he is happy. He is elated but in reality he is not happy. It is because what he gives, what he donates is already an excess of his wealth, of his possession. Though his intention is to help those who are needy, who are poor, and who are least privilege in life.
An Average Earning Person
Here's another situation. This man is earning an average income from his job. Whenever he sees someone who is begging in public, he gives what he has extra from his pocket. He is an occasional giver. It is his pleasure once he has done something for the poor, for the needy and he never earns anything from such benevolent actions. He feels something relief once he gives. It is more enough for him once he gives. His happiness is just enough for his good deeds.
No Permanent Job Person
And the last situation is trying hard person who has no permanent job or sufficient income to support himself, his family. He sometimes couldn't eat a single meal for he prefer his family not to starve. It is too insulting for himself to give what he has in his pocket for it is not even enough to feed his family. But there is an occasion what he has in his possession he willingly gives it to the beggar who hasn't even eaten the whole day. He went home with nothing to give to his wife. He told his wife of what he had done. His wife understood him. She was even assured by his wife that they have still something to eat for the day.
Which among those three person has demonstrated the true value of "it is more blessed to give than to receive"? Are they in our present society or in the community where we live in? Or are you one of them?
image credits: begging by maxlkt, Pixabay, Public Domain
Reminds me of Mark 12:42
ReplyDelete//The Widow's Offering
41. As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd placing money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. 42. Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius. 43. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury//
a true giver in my eyes is he who gives and expects nothing in return. Whether he can afford it or not.
ReplyDeleteGive without expecting anything back in return. Give even if it means losing your all. We know this, but admittedly this is not always something easy to do. However, the moment just comes and you give with your whole heart.
ReplyDeleteI think the no permanent job person has the real heart of a giver. However, it's also hard to discount the fact that the average earning person in the story has done his fair share of help for the needy.
ReplyDeleteGiving, regardless of our circumstance, is a great act if we don't expect anything in return. It should be from heart. Always.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we can compare both situations. I think both would have the heart of a giver. I don't really think it should matter what your means heart, but just the intention. If there is a good intention behind the gesture then you're a true giver
ReplyDeleteYou're right regardless of one's status in life, it's his heart's intention that barely makes himself to qualify as a true giver.
DeleteI think it all boils down to the individual's intentions. If the intention of giving is pure, whole-hearted whether one is rich or poor then that is the real essence of giving. On the other hand, if it is done with the expectation of receiving something in return then that's now a different story.
ReplyDeleteI've always believed that true giving comes without expectation of reward or recognition. There is charitable giving that is used for taxes and then there is anonymous giving or giving joyfully... They are all not the same.
ReplyDeletei believe it depends on a person's intention. your status in life will not determine if you are a giver or not. i know a couple of guys who has more but give less and other who have less but gives more
ReplyDelete