Life Skills & Value Education – CLASS-VI – UNIT- 4 Joy Of Giving

Charity is an act of giving money, food, help, etc., to people who are in need.

Charity or help can be given in three different ways.

1. CHARITY IN THE MODE OF GOODNESS

Gifts given out of duty at a proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.

2. CHARITY IN THE MODE OF PASSION

Charity performed with the expectation of some return, or in a grudging mood, or under some obligation, for e.g., at the insistence of a superior, is said to be charity in the

3. CHARITY IN THE MODE OF IGNORANCE

Charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance. Charity that is given in places where people indulge in intoxication, illicit relationships, or gambling is also considered to be in the mode of darkness (ignorance). This charity does not benefit anyone, and to give charity to such persons is to simply commit violence against them, for the gift only encourages their harmful activities.    

STORY: THE GLASSMAKER AND THE SAINT

Once a businessman came to meet a saintly person. The saint asked the businessman what he did for a living, to which he replied that he manufactured and dealt in glass. The saint asked him where the glass came from. The businessman replied that glass came from silica, and on being asked where the silica came from, he replied that silica came from sand. The saint then asked the businessman where the sand came from.

“The beach!” came the businessman’s reply. Thereupon, the saint asked who had made the beach. The businessman finally had to admit that it was God who had made the beach. The saint said to the businessman, “You are a big thief!” The businessman was bewildered but humbly requested the saint to please help him understand why he was a thief. The saint explained that a person who took something from someone without (acknowledging and) repaying them was a thief.

Therefore, we should not remain thieves; whatever we do, whatever we eat should be done as an offering to God.

ART OF GIVING

Let us learn the art of giving-

1.  WHEN SHOULD ONE GIVE?

We should give now or as soon as we get a chance to do so. We should try to understand the urgency of the person in need and help at once. If we do not extend our help at the right time, our help may not be of any use. For example, if a friend asks you for a spare pencil during an exam

2.  HOW SHOULD ONE GIVE?

•        We should give in an intelligent way.

A saying goes, “Do not give a man a basket of fish. Teach him how to fish.” This means that we should give in such a way that we enable people to look after themselves rather than have them come back to us again and again.

•        We should give with humility; don’t give with a grudging heart.

Any gift offered with humility is a true gift. Whatever we give, be it our time, money, effort, love, or just a smile, must be given with humility. Otherwise, it is just a show of power and only makes the receiver feel humiliated, not happy.

Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure “For God

loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

3. WHOM TO GIVE?

We should be careful in selecting whom you are going to help! In the Vedic literature, charity given to a person engaged in the service of God is the best welfare activity. For example, Charity given to educate people about the science of God by distributing copies of the Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Quran or books like “Values of Life” is very much required in today’s society.

4. WHAT TO GIVE?

It is not only money that can be given. You can share your knowledge, wisdom, and talents, or give a flower, some of your time, some of your possessions or even your beautiful smile! You can give anything but you must give with your heart! Even God accepts our offerings when made with true love and devotion.

If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower,

fruit or water, I will accept it.

Honour God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best.

5. HOW MUCH TO GIVE?

We should give as much as we can.

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

6. WHAT SHOULD ONE FEEL AFTER GIVING?

• Give and then forget.

Sometimes, people give and then keep on boasting about their own generosity for a long time! The receiver does not like to hear repeatedly about the help they received. Often times, the helpful action is forgotten and the only thing that is remembered with bitterness is that the person talked about it at all the time. The best thing to do is to give and then get on with life, without thinking or talking about it.

•        Give and never regret giving.

7. WHAT SHOULD ONE ALWAYS REMEMBER WHILE GIVING?

• Nothing belongs to us; everything belongs to God.
  • God is the Supreme Enjoyer.
  • God is the owner and provider of everything.

God is our Supreme Father and we are all His children. We please our Supreme Father when we help and cooperate with each other.

Chant the holy names of God in order to express your love and gratitude towards Him, the ultimate and

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