The Art of Giving

Yesterday, I made a statement to Samuel (my oldest) about helping. I told him that helping out is pointless if it isn't done with a motive of compassion. That got me thinking. My dad taught me a very important concept. Once, while collecting food items that I didn't like out of the cupboard (I reasoned that they should go to charity because someone else surely had better use for them than I), my dad admonished me and explained that only things that are meaningful are things worth giving. I learned that my discards do not make good gifts and should not be disposed of under such pretenses. I know that others may benefit from things for which I no longer have use, but those things are to be shared in the name of not wasting; they are not proper for gifting. Gifts are items that are sacrificial to give (by the way, giving sacrificially should be a normal act not a rarity, and its normalcy should not rob it of its exceptionalism). Gifts are things that the recipient has need of or use for, that he or she treasures/desires, and/or by which he or she will be enhanced. Also, such things cannot, normally, be obtained by the recipient without the giver's assistance. A gift given never leaves the recipient in a compromised position or dependent on the giver. A gift given provides freedom for the recipient. Such are the attributes of gifts. The act of giving is related conceptually.

We would all do well to learn from the widow who gave from the last that she had while others were giving from there surplus (Luke 21:1-4). Giving is done first and foremost to bless the recipient. Therefore, the dignity of the recipient is always the top priority of a true giver. True giving is done with good taste and tact. Giving is best done after a need or desire is perceived by the giver, and before it is requested. The act of giving is never done for recognition. The act of giving is not, however, selfless. If it were selfless, it would not be full of the personality and compassion of the giver; the act of giving involves the sharing of one's self. When approached with a gift, the potential recipient should never feel obligated. The act of giving never has strings attached. When giving, the giver never has expectations; just hopes. Hopes that the recipient will have been blessed by the compassion shared. Hopes that the recipient will be bettered by the gift. Hopes that the recipient will have been provided an element of freedom to which he or she otherwise would've not been privy. Gift givers are wise and sometimes create boundaries for the purpose of removing awkwardness. Gift giving is almost a lost art form which has all but lost its exceptionalism as it undergoes the mainstreaming process to which most things surrender in our society of convenience.

We must put our souls back into our interaction with others. So much of our societal conundrums would be moot if we took it upon ourselves to give with compassionate intent. They would be moot because individual compassion would rescue those who are truly in need.