Giving

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.

Kahlil Gibran


I've always understood the act of generosity as an act of selfless giving.

The true 'Giver' will offer all they have without a hint of a grude or with the thought or words of "Now you owe me!"

What is it to give with grace?

I believe it is to offer what you have to somebody with courtesy and decency with "no strings attached".

Some years ago while at university, there was a particular character who wrote for the university newspaper, pulled weight in the student Union, righting wrongs for his fellow students and so intelligent, however at the time he was on heroine but managed to keep it all together. Another friend who also worked for the University paper came from money and, of course, always had plenty in his pocket. We'll call our intelligent heroine addict Simon and our rich friend, Jack.

Living on only student payouts from the government, Simon could barely eat, let alone support a heroine habit. But when ever he needed a little cash, (usually $50), he'd ask Jack, and without hesitation, give Simon his much needed $50 for food or whatever else he required because in Jack's eye's, once you "lend" someone money, never expect to get it back. In my eyes, good old Jack gave with decency and grace. In the end, so many years later, Jack is a philosophy lecturer and Simon is a big wig in one of the top publishing firms in the country and, incidently, off the stuff.

I believe if it wasn't for Jack's generosity and giving with utter grace, Simon would not be where he is today - more than likely this highly intelligent man would be dead.

I really think that to give begrudgingly has no ethical value, the act means absolutely nothing.

Another example: when asked, a "friend" does you a much needed favour and while doing it complains, makes personal judgements and expects a return in one form or another; they shouldn't even make the effort, because more than likely, the act will do more harm than good - for the giver and the one receiving.

The spirit in which a thing is given determines that in which the debt is acknowledged; it's the intention, not the face-value of the gift, that's weighed.

Seneca

Yes, it the intention of one's giving, its selfless aura, which makes the act that much more valuable.

To Give with Grace has great significance for all concerned.