Reflections on the One Who Gives Generously
Pope Shenouda III reflects on the virtue of giving, explaining that a person progresses in this virtue from simply training himself to give, to giving generously and joyfully, then to offering the best that he has, and finally reaching the level of giving himself. Giving leads a person away from self-love, possessiveness, and attachment to what he owns in this world. He emphasizes that tithes and firstfruits represent the minimum level of giving, and not everything God asks of a person. Therefore, a person should continually train himself to give without calculating with God or counting what he has offered.
Spiritual Message
The Pope explains that true giving does not come only from one’s surplus; it may also come from one’s need, as in the example of the widow who gave out of her poverty, because the value of a gift is connected to the love of the heart and what a person sacrifices for it. He also encourages a person to offer the best he has, rather than things he no longer wants or considers unwanted. Complete giving means that the heart becomes free from the love of the world, so that a person can give without being attached to what he possesses.
Educational Lesson
Giving progresses through several stages: organized giving such as tithes and firstfruits, then offering the best of what a person has, then giving out of one’s need, then giving everything, followed by giving joyfully and without waiting to be asked. The highest level is giving oneself, meaning that a person offers his heart, time, effort, comfort, and life in service to God and others. The Pope presents several spiritual examples, including martyrs, apostles, monks, and servants, showing that true giving goes beyond material things to include a kind word, a smile, advice, hope, and comfort.
Practical Application
This teaching calls a person to practice giving every day and not allow a day to pass without offering something to others. A person should give generously, continually, and joyfully, without waiting for others to ask. He should also give from his heart before giving from his pocket, and consider what he offers to others as a treasure stored for eternity. In the area of service, the true servant is the one who gives himself to the service, offering his time, effort, comfort, and everything he has with love and joy.
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