Meditation for July 2008

In this month of July 2008, we continue to meditate on the fruit of the Spirit as spoken of by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This month we look at the sixth spiritual fruit: generosity.

Having looked at the spiritual fruit of kindness last month, I wondered what the difference between that and generosity could be. It seemed to me, as I thought about it, that the two attributes are very similar and wondered why St. Paul named them both in his list.

There are subtle differences, however. Kindnesses are simple and small—not taking much thought—often done on the spur of the moment. Generosity of heart, spirit, time, or money is perhaps more fully developed than kindness, requiring more of oneself.

The act of generosity, in fact, might require a large piece of oneself, even taking away from one’s own needs—out of one’s own pocket, so to speak. Generosity is not giving to others so that they will praise you for it, generosity is giving from the depths and quietness of one’s being with no second thoughts and no sounding of trumpets. One sees a need and one fills it without embarrassment, without pomp, even if it causes deprivation to oneself.

Generosity does not always involve finances—being generous with one’s time is very important. When one listens to someone’s long story of pain without making the person feel as if she is imposing on one’s time, even though one was just about to do something for oneself, is a very generous act. Other acts of generosity include quick response to requests for one’s help or assistance, without making the other person feel beholden for one’s action.

A story told in St. Mark’s gospel sums up the spirit of generosity: [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 41 – 44 NRSV.

Kindnesses often don’t take anything much from the person’s money or time. Generosity, however, may actually cause the person to be deprived of money or time; and an all important attribute of generosity is not to show that deprivation to the one who is receiving the generous act. When you put the spirit of generosity into action it may deprive you of all you have in time or money but it will show no hint of this to the recipient of the generous act.

 © Judith Lawrence July 2008