His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the virtue of giving as one of the most important Christian virtues, explaining that giving is not merely a social act, but an essential part of the commandment of love upon which Christianity is founded, and that man will be judged on it on the Last Day.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the money a person possesses is not an absolute personal possession, but rather a trust from God, and man is only a steward over it, therefore he should use it to make others happy and help the needy.

He also confirms that giving sanctifies and blesses money, and that money used in serving the poor and needy becomes a heavenly treasure preserved with God, while attachment to money and love of possessions corrupt spiritual life.

He speaks about how true giving is not limited only to money, but also includes time, love, tenderness, kind words, advice, prayer, and every means by which others can be made happy or their pain relieved.

He also explains that God allows man to give in order to train him in many spiritual virtues such as love, generosity, mercy, humility, and victory over selfishness, stinginess, and self-love.

He also explains that giving should be with joy, gladness, and from the heart, because “God loves a cheerful giver,” and that man should not give with grumbling or compulsion, but with love and a feeling of gratitude to God who gave him the ability to give.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III confirms the importance of sensitivity toward the needs of others, so that a person feels the pain of others and helps them even before they ask, because true love pushes man to initiate giving without waiting.

At the end of the lecture, he explains that the peak of giving is for man to give his whole heart completely to God, and to grow gradually in a life of sacrifice and love until he reaches offering his life for others, following the example of Christ’s perfect love.

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