We brought up the issue of generosity and we mentioned that it is one of God’s attributes. A generous man is closer to God and that is acknowledged by all religions. At Surat Al Baqra, verse no.272 ” And whatever charity (benefit) you do expend, (then) it is for yourselves; and whatever you expend (should be) for nothing except for your seeking the Face of Allah; and whatever charity you do expend will be (paid) to you in full, and you will not be done an injustice.”.Moreover, in Bible we can find the story of the rich man who lives in a palace that lays at his doors a poor man called Lazarus. The rich man saw Lazarus every time he enters or goes out of his palace. However, he never felt for him or even gives him the little despite his being a person of a wealth. When they both died, the rich man, who lived selfishly ignoring the poor person at his doors, was doomed to hell, but Lazarus went to heaven and was crowned for his thankful endurance on earth.
A stingy man would resemble the rich fool who was gladdened to see the riches of his land and the abundance of his crops forgetting about others in need. He did not realize that God granted him all those gifts to fulfill others’ needs too. Only did he think of his own profit that he pulled down his barns and built greater. Thus, God said to him “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”It is mentioned in the Hadith ” Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.” And Bible says “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Solomon the wise says in Ecclesiastes, “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.”
As he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
I recall a story I read long time ago about a young boy called “Heward Kelly”. He was hungry and decided to ask for food from the next person who answered the door. He was a door-to-door sales person and worked to provide for the costs of his school. He once found out that he hardly had any money. Thus he ended up merely asking for a glass of water; however, the woman he asked brought him a glass of milk instead. He thanked her and asked about the price for the glass of milk. She answered him that it costs nothing and that her mother taught her not to wait for the price for being humane. Heward was so grateful to her favor that increased his trust in God and humanity.
Many years later, the woman who gave him the glass of milk was seriously ill. She went to the bigger city to receive medical care. After check- up, the doctor promised he would give himself up to her care, she recovered, and when the bill was presented to her amid her fear it would be so high, it was written on it “Paid in full with one glass of milk.” and signed by Dr. Heward Kelly. How great abundant giving is. Adding to this, there are other sorts of giving and many shades of generosity… to be continued …
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
