IT IS IN THE HEART NOT IN THE MONEY. PAGE 2 OF 2 POSITIVE ASPECTS OF GIVING. The Company of the generous is delightful. The generous focus on other than themselves, and their generosity not only makes them likeable but also makes the world a happier and better place. Life should not really be about how much money we accrue, but rather how many people we serve; because the greater your giving, the greater your living. Giving does not devalue your worth and the Prophet said that charity does not decrease wealth. Remember, we are here to enrich the world, and if we ever forget that we impoverish ourselves. In helping others we enhance ourselves, for when you light anothers path you cant help but cast light on your own path. Realize that no one stands taller in success than the one who bends down to help those in need. We become enriched by enriching the lives of others. The Prophet said that a Believer feels good doing good. So do not do good merely to feel good, but rather feel good doing good. In a humorous incident, a beggar asked a woman for money and she said; Ill give you a dollar, not because you deserve it but because it pleases me. So the beggar said; Thanks Maam, why dont you give me $100 and you could feel really, really good about it. By living a life that is helpful, ones life becomes significant. Lifes most persistent and urgent question is ... What are we doing for others? (civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.) How we answer that question is in a way a good measure of our spirit of generosity. Spirit of Generosity Characteristic of a true Believer: When asked about the characteristics of a Believer, Imam Zainul Abideen said: Righteousness in privacy, generosity even when needy, patience during misfortunes, sense of control when angry and truthfulness even when fearful. Kindness: Giving requires compassion, mercy, and love. Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give; not reluctantly nor under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [2 Corinthians 9:7] Selflessness:Eventually, what we do for ourselves alone dies with us, but what we do for others outlives us. Wise are the words that reminds us: He who lives for himself, lives small, and dies small and will be forgotten, And he who lives for others, lives big, and dies big and will be remembered Our function in life is not merely to have and to hold, but to give and to serve, to get and not to forget. The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. (Dr Wilfred Grenfell) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Allah is at the assistance of a person as long as that person is of help to another. Remember the promise, people will enter Paradise; by the Mercy of Allah, through the generosity of their spirits and the soundness of their hearts. (Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) O Allah! I seek refuge in Thee from anxiety, grief, incapacity, laziness, stinginess, cowardice; from the burden of debt and from the domination of people. (Prayer of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)). May Allah help us.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 07:18:43 +0000