GENEROSITY
Generosity is the willingness of a person to give somebody
money, gifts, time or kindness freely and frequently. Its synonyms are, liberality,
hospitality, charitableness, benevolence, bounteousness, open-handedness, magnanimity
, lavishness, philanthropy, etc.
The quality of generosity is found not only in
the very rich or not so rich but also in those who have not enough and to
spare. It is not only a social but also a religious quality. It is an act of
sharing and feeling happier.
God is the most generous of all of us. He has given away all
for those whom He has created. There is no miserliness in Him. Even the tiniest
creature gets his requisite food and other requirements.
English author Francis Quarles (1592-1644) said : He that
gives all, though but little gives much; because God looks not to the quantity
of the gift, but to the quality of the giver.
Also note that he who gives what he would as readily throw
away does not perform an act of generosity because the essence of generosity is
self-sacrifice which makes one happier and spiritually stronger. This type of
generosity takes him/her closer to God.
Finally, the viewpoint of Roman naturalist Pliny The Elder (23-79}:
I would have a man generous to his country, his neighbours, his kindred, his
friends, and most of all his poor friends. Not like some who are most lavish
with those who are able to give most to them.”
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G.R.Kanwal
23 June 2024
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