Spirituality and Giving
abracad, · Categories: externally authored, spiritualityby Emma Filey
In a beautiful article speaking on the connection between spirituality and social change, Dr. Stewart Bitkoff eloquently expresses the link between spirituality and giving: “Only after you have matured psychologically and spiritually, can you reach out and help another: free of resentment or need for reward. Helping others, without self-interest, is part of being human; it helps define who we are as a species.†Those undergoing a spiritual evolution often stop to ponder of how they can help make the world a better place through disinterested actions. Unconditional love, “the love of all others regardless of race, religion or deeds†tacitly implies loving fellow human beings, so that we cannot turn a blind eye to their suffering. In this post, we pick a few relevant quotes from the Bible on the subject of giving and analyze how these teaching can be applied to our everyday life:
Giving and Discretion
Matthew 6:1-4: “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.†This profound thought emphasizes the disinterested nature of giving. Rather than seeking acknowledgement from others, or engaging in charitable pursuits as part of a P.R. campaign, giving results from a true desire to improve the lot of other human beings and, Buddhist thought would argue, of all sentient things.
Small but Meaningful Acts
2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.†This quote is vital this day and age, when many families do not have enough to make ends meet yet still wish to be charitable. It is vital to give freely and from the heart, to a cause one truly believes in and to the extent that giving is possible. Giving does not have to be about money; many of the kindest acts simply involve exercising empathy, listening to those who are lonely, visiting those who are ill or talking to those who are in denial regarding a difficult health issue, such as substance abuse or alcohol addiction. The first step for recovering alcoholics, for instance, is to admit they have a problem; all they may need is for someone they can freely talk to regarding when and why they first decided using, how their addiction makes them feel and whether or not they are ready to make a step towards seeking the appropriate treatment. Many times, problems like addiction, depression and anxiety can cloud sufferers in a fear and shame, which stops them from even speaking to their family and friends about their problem. Lending addicts an ear can help them take the first tentative steps towards recovery.
Giving and Happiness
Acts 20:35: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’†The idea that giving can cause immense happiness has often been a subject of healthy debate. Recently, science stepped in to show that giving does really make one happier. One fascinating study carried out in 2007 revealed that when persons donated money to a food bank, a particular region in the brain involved in pleasure and reward, was activated. German scientists (Meir and Stutzer, 2006) also showed that those who lend their time to volunteer work report greater life satisfaction. Still another beautiful study showed that when a group of elderly persons performed infant massage on babies in a nursery three times a week for a total period of three weeks, their stress hormone levels dropped significantly and depression levels decreased. Of course, the pursuit of personal happiness should not be the main aim, but it is a nice corollary effect we can all look forward to when we begin to devote more of our time to the needy.
Speaking for those without a voice
Proverbs 31:8-9: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.†This important quote reminds us that giving can taking positive steps to stop the suffering of others. It often takes great courage to the question the status quo, but a charitable spirit will not remain silent when the rights of others are being trampled upon.
Giving is Love
Perhaps the ultimate Biblical quote on the matter is that contained in Romans 13:8-10: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,†and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.†Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.†Ultimately, giving is all about love and there is nothing complicated or debatable about that… for love resides in all of us, in our hearts and spirits.
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