Chapter 6 bestow

A rich man then said, Please speak to us about giving. He replied: When you take out your possessions, your giving is insignificant. True giving occurs when you give of yourself. Because isn't your property just something that you only possess and protect when you fear you may need it tomorrow? And tomorrow, what will tomorrow bring to the dog who cautiously followed the pilgrims and buried his bones in the barren sand? What do you need but need itself? When the well is overflowing, is not your fear of thirst an unquenchable thirst? There are those who give but a little of their property—they give for recognition, and their hidden desires keep their gift from beauty.

There are also those who have very little but give it all. They believe in life and the gift of life, and their lockers are never empty. Some give with joy, and this joy is their reward. Some give with pain, and this pain is their baptism. There are others who don't feel pain when they give, nor do they seek pleasure, or charity; They give like myrtle in the valley beyond. Through the hands of these men God teaches, and through their eyes God smiles upon the earth. It is good to give when asked, but a higher state is to give through experience and before others ask. For the generous person, finding someone who is willing to receive the gift is a deeper joy than the giving itself.

What can't you give up? One day, everything you have will be left to others; So gift now, and leave the moment of giving to yourself, not your heirs. You often say, "I'll give money, but only for those who deserve it." The trees of your orchards will not speak thus, nor the flocks of your pastures. Because of devotion, they live, while refusal only brings death. A man who deserves his days and nights is undoubtedly worthy of everything else from you. He who is worthy to drink from the sea of ​​life is also worthy to fill his cup from your brooks. What virtue surpasses receptive courage, trust, even compassion?

Who are you to deserve people to rip their chests open and take off the veil of self-respect so you can see their naked worth and their unashamed dignity? First examine whether you are worthy of being a giver, a tool for giving. For everything is a gift of life to life—and you, who see yourself as the giver, are but a witness. As for you who are beneficiaries—and you are all beneficiaries—you need not carry the burden of gratitude that puts a shackle on yourselves and on the giver. It is better to fly with the giver by virtue of gifts, as with a pair of wings, For to dwell on debt is to doubt the generosity of the Giver, who has the benevolent earth as mother and God as father.