Human hand sharing with bread as charitable action
November is synonymous with Thanksgiving. We were all taught the story of the Pilgrims giving thanks to the Native Americans for their support through the first harvest. My intent is not to discuss the colonization of indigenous people and the wars that followed, but rather to consider the word GIVING rather than that of THANKS.
The British Bulldog himself, Winston Churchill, said “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” How blessed for us in philanthropy who get to do both.
What Christian wasn’t taught, at an early age, that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)? Especially when that Barbie doll wrapped in your hands for Nancy’s birthday party was the one you have been eyeing for weeks! For it is truly giving when it is something precious or of value to the giver.
The act of giving is valued in virtually all great religions. It isn’t just the giving either. It is that there is an expectation of nothing in return. No naming rights, no reciprocity, and perhaps even no “thank you.” It is unselfish.
In Judaism, that daily giving or good deed is a Mitzvah. One of the “good deeds” is tzedakah. Tzedakah is charitable giving and is a moral obligation. How lovely that the root word, tzavta, means connection. Giving is a unique connection between the giver and the recipient. The highest Mitzvah one can give is the gift that will result in the recipient being more self-sufficient. I love that thought in light that AWSF’s mission speaks to supporting those with disabilities towards greater independence.
Muslims are instructed on gifts of obligation or Zakah. This is a fixed amount of property provided every year to charity. But Sadaqah is the non-obligatory gift and is a more righteous giving. A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.
Dãna is giving in Buddhism. Such dãna leads to spiritual wealth for, as in other faiths, it is sharing without expecting anything in return. What intrigues me with dãna is that more important than the act of giving is the state of mind when doing it. (I, for sure, did not have the proper state of mind in giving Nancy that Barbie doll.)
As we see the declining influence of organized religions being reported (and increasing numbers of those who report “none” as their faith), we can’t help but wonder what will happen with charity? We may never know the full impact of our gifts, yet we give just the same. The quotes below are one each from Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam. Who can tell the difference?
- “Charity does not decrease wealth.”
- “Whoever does charity and justice is regarded as if he filled the whole world with kindness.”
- “If you knew, as I do, the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing some of it.”
- “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Give Thanks and Give.