• Pastor Wayne Patton • Rev. Dr. James Fung • Rebecca DeRoos • The Baha’is of Kaua‘i Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested
• Pastor Wayne Patton • Rev. Dr. James Fung • Rebecca DeRoos •
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and length. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s topic is rebirth. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
The Apostle Paul is on his way to Jerusalem in Acts 20 to deliver an offering that had been received for the church there. He stopped along the way and met with the leadership of the Ephesian church. His message to them was rich and remarkable, especially verse 35, where he commented, “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
This is the only time in the entire Bible that the phrase “more blessed” occurs. Jesus was talking about giving and receiving. He did not indicate that one is a curse and the other a blessing. He indicated that both are blessings, but one is a greater blessing than the other. That is the essence of charity — giving and receiving.
Charity is often defined as “benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity.” It involves generosity and helpfulness on the part of those giving toward the needy or suffering (those receiving). Charity is biblical love.
But why is it more blessed to give than to receive? The single biggest reason is that when we receive, we are acting like ourselves, but when we give, we are acting like God. Having an attitude of giving allows us to move into the divine realm and do something that God Himself delights to do.
Charitable giving is a means of worshipping God. When you give a gift to another person, it is your way of expressing your love to that other person. Charitable giving is a way of working for God. It extends His work among us. We do not seek praise as we give to those in need. We seek rather to honor the Lord God.
There are no charitable gifts too small except those not given cheerfully. There are no givers too small except those who are giving their money, but not their hearts. There are no gifts too large except those given without the forethought of prayer.
Charity allows us to express to the Lord, in token form, our love, our reverence, and the worship of our hearts.
Rev. Dr. James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
He was in-between jobs. The little money that was coming in went to paying the rent, phone, doctor bills, and to put food on the table for his family of four, which included two little girls. And so there wasn’t that much left over. Neighbors and people from the church who dropped by with food were turned away, however. He said, “We don’t need charity.”
I thought to myself, “Is charity such a bad thing? What is it that gets in the way of our accepting the tangible expressions of love and care from neighbors and friends?
To say that it’s pride doesn’t fully explain the internal mechanism within us that can make a gift of charity seems more like an insult, an accusation, or a shameful indictment. Maybe this is why part of the training of Christian monks, as itinerant teachers was to take no money in their pockets but to carry their begging bowls with them. They depended on the charity of people to provide their meals. In the process they learned to receive with gratitude, to be thankful for the kindness of others, and to give others an opportunity to be empathetic and helpful.
Charity is a two way street. Yes, we need to give generously, but we also need to receive gracefully. Maybe it would be easier for someone to receive charity if we were to improve our giving skills. For example, instead of “This is a gift from our church because we know that times are hard after you lost your job,” how about, “You would do me a favor by accepting this. Someday I know that you will return the favor, and I would appreciate it.”
Rebecca DeRoos
Science of Mind Practitioner
Charity comes in all shapes and forms. The easiest form is to give money. The most difficult to give is of one’s own time and effort.
Having recently experienced a serious operation performed on my dearest friend, I felt first hand the gifts of charity. People I hadn’t seen or contacted for a long time appeared. They worked on our land, cared for our animals, gave us meals, even gave us money when they needed it themselves and took the time to simply sit and listen and offer their heart-felt love and support. The presence of God exuded through each of these people. Just the expressions on their faces gave so much love and we received it.
Today I’m thinking of those who selflessly volunteer every day to organizations such as Hospice, the Cancer Society, the Humane Society, so many churches and schools, even AARP at tax time to help those who simply can’t do it! All is done with smiles and sincerity and love. They’ve allowed God to work through them giving their greatest gifts of all — their time, support, knowledge, encouragement , and love.
We all have charity within us. Even with a totally disabled body one may give one small encouraging smile of love to a child or adult to brighten one’s day.
And the best news of all is that whatever we give out, we get back 10-fold! It may not come in the time or way we expect, but the rewards are immeasurable. God loves to give!
Charity is always a gift to all. God wouldn’t have it any other way. “All of you share in God’s grace.” – Phillipians 1:7 And so it is.
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
In the Baha’i sacred writings it is stated that “This is the day whereon the Ocean of God’s mercy hath been manifested unto men … the Day in which the clouds of His bountiful favor have overshadowed the whole of mankind. Now is the time to cheer and refresh the down-cast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity.”
Each day we should remind ourselves of God’s blessings. “The essence of charity is for the servant to recount the blessings of his Lord, and to render thanks unto Him at all times and under all conditions.” Just as God is charitable to us, we in turn must share these gifts with those in need or unable to work. This includes the elderly, the young, the infirm and, particularly during these difficult times, those who are unable to find employment. Assistance should also be extended to those who are acquiring skills in order to earn a living.
The Baha’i writings say of those who are charitable “He, verily, shall recompense the charitable, and doubly repay them for what they have bestowed. … He is the Great Giver, the Most Generous, the Benevolent.” However, in line with the injunction that all should have a profession that contributes to society, we are also cautioned by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the son of the Prophet founder of the Baha’i Faith, not to give charity to those who have the opportunity to work but choose instead to beg. “… mendicancy is forbidden and that giving charity to people who take up begging as their profession is also prohibited”. He further points out in that same Tablet: “The object is to uproot mendicancy altogether. However, if a person is incapable of earning a living, is stricken by dire poverty or becometh helpless, then it is incumbent on the wealthy or the Deputies to provide him with a monthly allowance for his subsistence…”
Topic for two weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on animals?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to afrainier@thegardenisland.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
