Giving (Attitude of)

“We live in an age when consumer culture has been elevated into an absolute. We are persuaded that a person’s worth is determined by how much he has accumulated. The world teaches us to live in a state of constant anxiety—in fear of missing out, falling behind, losing what we have, or becoming poor. As a result, acts of mercy become merely formal. We give what we “won’t miss,” or we make charitable giving part of our public image. But it is precisely against such an attitude that the Apostle Paul warns us: “not grudgingly, or of necessity…But what matters most is the inner quality of our giving. If we help those close to us or perform some good deed while inwardly grumbling, reproaching them, or expecting gratitude in return, then we are giving “grudgingly.” Such “goodness” leaves bitterness both in ourselves and in the person who receives it.” (Metropolitan Luke Kovalenko)

“Consumerism today poisons and perverts not only church life, but all spheres of society: education, upbringing, science, art—leading them to vulgarization and degradation. People imagine the world as a supermarket of goods and services. But this is a completely false picture. The foundation of life should be set on attitudes opposite to pride and consumerism: “I owe others,” “No one owes me anything,” “It is necessary to give more and take less,” “Not to demand and not to take for granted, but to ask (to pray) and to give thanks for everything as for an undeserved gift.” The Liturgy teaches us this as a common work, and the Eucharist as thanksgiving. The Lord Himself is the highest example; He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).” (Priest Tarasiy Borozenets)

“Saint Paul offers what is for many a scandalous commandment, to give thanks “always and for all things” (Eph. 5: 20). I have written about this statement many times through the years and always received troubled questions in return. “How can I give thanks for evil or tragic things that happen?” The questions, while honest, point to a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of thanksgiving. In our common, everyday life, we tend to offer thanks when something pleasant or kind has been done for us. This ingrains an attitude in which the giving of thanks becomes a kind of payment. It is an action that requires no belief in God but merely a performance of cultural politeness. In a culture driven by consumerism, the giving of thanks easily degenerates into a form of exchange, an expression of our pleasure. This differs from the greater expression of thanksgiving in the Scriptures.” (Father Stephen Freeman) 

“Rather, what bothered Chrysostom, and what may be radical even to us today, is the mistaken idea that the more someone gives, the greater good they have done. If that were true, then moral worth could be measured in money, and those with the most to give could be the most righteous…So much comes down to the spirit in which we give. If we would genuinely minister to Christ crucified, it cannot be through an act of “charity” that crucifies the poor man still further by humiliating or rejecting him–but which quiets our conscience because on paper it looks like an act of social kindness?” (Dylan Pahman, Timothy G. Patitsas)

“The attitude of our charity is a sure sign of the state of our hearts. Do we give grudgingly, reluctantly, or unwillingly? Or do we give generously, gratefully, and graciously? Then our openness to respond to the needs of others is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working within us.” (Fr. Basil) 

"When it is in the “strength” of our hand [Proverbs 9:27]…we should not hold back our charity. We should offer aid to the destitute willingly and cheerfully, just as St. Paul also advised (2 Cor. 9:7). Note that from this standpoint, it is not the amount that is important. We should give according to our ability (2 Cor 8:12). The crucial thing is attitude…From this standpoint, the needs of others are tests of our relationship to the passions that threaten to control our inner life… It is difficult to write about matters dealing with riches and the poor without seeming to make accusations of guilt and reproach. But consider today’s study as an invitation. Our insights should prompt us to consider our attitudes toward the material things that are under our management. And it invites us to a new perspective that frees us from our possessions and from the passions that clutch them so tightly.” (Fr. Basil)

“When Jesus warned, “Beware of practicing your piety before men,” He then added pointedly, “to be seen by them.” On first glance it seems as if the same thing were being repeated, but if you were carefully to pay attention, you will note a careful distinction. Alms may be given in the presence of others primarily to be seen by them, or they may be given in the presence of others but not to be seen, or they may be openly given in order to be seen but still not be seen, or they may be given quietly and still be seen. He is not focusing simply on the outward act done but the inward intent.” (St. John Chrysostom)

“Christ gives us everything: “All things come of Thee, O Lord, and of Thine own have we given Thee.” And, “Thine own of Thine own we offer unto Thee, on behalf of all and for all.” If all that I have is a gift for which I give thanks, a means of communion with God, then why should I begrudge sharing it with anyone? Indeed, the act of sharing is itself a primary and inherent part of giving thanks. We give to others because what we have has been given to us.” (Father Stephen Freeman)

“Many people falsely associate charity with the notion of a saintly life requiring certain types of sacrifice in order to care for others – perhaps even a complete alteration of our manner of life. “It is a great misconception to think . . . that one must undertake great, reverberating tasks. Not at all. It is necessary only to do everything according to the commandments of God . . . those things which present themselves to everyone in the circumstances of life… Such encounters will include our spouse, children, and neighbors, the checker at the market and the receptionist at a front desk. We are to extend our caring even in casual contacts.” (St. Theophan the Recluse, Dynamis 10/9/2021)

“ ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more not the offering box than all the others’ (Mark 12:43)…The widow was praised because she gave sincerely and at some considerable cost to herself…With God, giving is weighed evaluatively, not counted…” (NET Bible, Mark 12:43)

#FrBasil #StJohnChrysostom #FatherStephenFreeman #StTheophantheRecluse #Dynamis #NETBible #MetropolitanLukeKovalenko #PriestTarasiyBorozenets #DylanPahman #TimothyGPatitsas #FrBasil