The Perfect Attitude Of Giving

          In an ecclesiastical setting, there is often a call to live up to a standard.  Standards, however, are not limited to things having to do with a church.

There is a standard of what makes a good man or a good woman.  This standard is hard to achieve without some theistic cognizance.  The providence of this type of revelation is and ought to be part of the main function of a church, because without some degree of moral guidance it is very unlikely that the proper definition of a good, strong man or a good, faithful woman will ever be attained.

When left to his own devices and wisdom, man ultimately comes to the conclusion that it is one's self that needs to be fulfilled and that this is the prerogative and perhaps duty of each individual: to secure his own happiness.  The problem arises in that this is never directly attainable without cost to the happiness of another.

            It is also a testament to the inherent foolishness of a wise man.  "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise," and "Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes."

The wisdom of God will say that if we seek after the welfare of others before ourselves, then we will achieve happiness.  Even the foolish wisdom of the world can recognize this under the stipulation of some form of reciprocation, which ultimately brings the motive back to selfishness.

In this world, giving is often done only because there is a line of thought that:

• It doesn't have to continue any longer than one is inclined
• There may be some positive retribution
• Public acknowledgment will bring honor

This is where Godly wisdom dwarfs and confounds earthly wisdom.  Through heaven's eyes, a perfect attitude of giving entails two things:

 1.  It is never enough

• Though we have given much, if we are of the mindset and disposition of a good man or woman, we will never be satiated by the fact that we have given much.  There should always be a feeling that what we have done is inadequate.

 2.  It is a secret

• It is all too natural to desire recognition for the good we have done, but it is also a bit unseemly for a great man.  When a charitable deed is done, and the source is anonymous to everyone, though honor is never ascribed to one man, it is well-understood that the unknown perpetrator is properly deserving to be revered, because he has acted in a fashion contrary to human wisdom, with no selfish motivation, and in comportment with divine prudence.

Even in this selfless mindset, there is some personal gain in the form of something which every society believes in:

        - If you give good, good will be done unto you

As stated, every society has a form of this standard.

• Buddhistic, Hinduistic, and other eastern societies call it karma
• In America, we say, "What goes around comes around."
• The Bible teaches, "Give, and it shall be given." 

Yet even this cannot be an impetus of our good deeds.  We must act from a genuine preference for the fulfilling contentment of others before ourselves.

The best of humanity abide by such a standard, and how often are they found?