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"How Great Thou Art" Reflections and Readings Giving and Generosity [ Giving and Receiving - UCS ] [ Exhortation to a Friend - Buddhism ] [ Giving - Gibran ] [ Giving and Generosity - Taoism ]

Giving and Receiving United Communities of Spirit When we give to one another, freely and without conditions, sharing our blessings with others and bearing each other's burdens, the giving multiplies and we receive far more than what was given. Even when there is no immediate prospect of return, Heaven keeps accounts of giving, and in the end blessing will return to the giver, multiplied manyfold. We must give first; to expect to receive without having given is to violate the universal law. On the other hand, giving in order to receive -- with strings attached, with the intention of currying favor, or in order to make a name for oneself -- is condemned. Interfaith passages at: origin.org/ucs/ws/theme140.cfm

Exhortation to Practice Generosity Buddhism Because you know that possessions are fleeting and without intrinsic value, May you with a proper attitude, make gifts To monks, Brahmins, and destitute beings. There is no better friend than this generous act. Source: A Letter to a Friend, by Nagarjuna

Giving Kahlil Gibran And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth. See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving. Source: The Prophet, p. 26-31

Giving and Generosity Taoism The more he does for others The greater his existence. The more he gives to others The greater his abundance Source: Lao Tzu, quoted in the Tao of Elvis, p. 34 I'm so lucky to be in the position to give. It's really a gift to give. Source: Elvis Presley, quoted in the Tao of Elvis, p. 35

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