Don’t Give Back

That’s right, that’s what it says, “Don’t Give Back”.  Instead just give.  Perhaps more people would give, and more people would give more, if they thought of charity as just giving.  An even better word than giving, and a better way to look at it is sharing.  This is another of those seemingly small one word changes that often produces a big change.

Giving or sharing should and can be a free-flowing joy.  Giving back might come grudgingly.  One might feel it’s required because you took something and are obligated to return it.  Sharing your blessings is pure.  Sharing doesn’t feel like an obligation.  It’s the recognition that whatever you were blessed with, was so that you could share it.  Sharing adds to the blessing, rather than diminishing the blessing.  When you share you have more, not less.

In Maimonides (1135-1204) eight levels of charity, the second highest level, is to give anonymously to an unknown recipient.  Neither the giver nor recipient know who the other party is.  It’s just pure sharing.

So go and share.  If you like this idea, share it.

 “To give and then not feel as one has given is the very best of all ways of giving.” – Max Beerbohm

Heart and Soul