The Qualities of Charity: The Art of Receiving

“The Quality of Mercy is not strained,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest,

It blessed him that gives and him that takes.”

“Merchant of Venice”, Act IV, Scene 1, William Shakespeare

These are the words of a woman, who disguised as an attorney attempts to placate a plaintiff, Shylock, from taking his legally owed “pound of flesh”. How many times in our lives have we felt wronged, or “owed” something? Have we received that quality of mercy (Charity) in order to repay injury with kindness? Or have we repaid it in “kind”?

The (greater) emphasis with the word “Charity” involves a giving of something to someone or some organization that has the appearance of being “in need”. This definition includes extending kindnesses in thoughts and words, as well in deeds. Always, in this understanding, is it assumed it is for “other”.

W. Shakespeare turns this somewhat on its head. Portia, the disguised advocate, reminds us that the giver is equally blessed. Let’s take this as a starting point for a new approach to “Charity”.

There are two main points to the CenterPoint understanding of Charity. The first is simply that if our well is dry, how can we lower a bucket to draw from Source to satisfy the thirst of another? Does it not make practical sense that we have to be at least partially filled up in order to share? “What you gonna do when your well runs dry, honey?” The Crawdad song’s only answer is “sit on the bank and cry, cry, cry.” There is another Way.

The Way of Love, the Way of Compassion offers another option. This is the second point in our study of the true meaning of Charity. Simply stated, when we realize that all Charity (the rain in the Portia speech) begins in Heaven, then our job is simply to recognize that Charity/Compassion/Mercy is needed in a situation and all that is need is for us to “Ask”. It is not our “rain”, it is not our “Charity”. We are tapping into an unlimited Source, and its name is Love.

What a relief this realization can bring. This truth is the first (personal) benefit in applying the Divine Law of Compassion. Because it is not “ours” to give, we cannot ever be drained. Whew! This awareness can also bring greater clarity to what is truly needed in a situation. If our frame of reference is that someone, or something is in a state of “lack”, it is almost guaranteed that the first lack is our understanding.

We live in a world desperately suffering and groaning under the weight of haves and have-nots. It seems abundantly clear (if this is not a contradiction in terms) that the world has limited resources. As a result we need “Economies”, and “Economic principles” to balance the scales. Obvious, no? Well, my answer is “No”. There IS enough, has always been enough, and will always be enough, if we can get right with Universe/Creator/God. We are truly in that Garden of Eden, if we can adjust our sight, and then live in harmony (together) in that awareness. Understanding the Qualities, Principles, and Spiritual Processes and Tools of Charity can light the Way.

A woman in the Gospels, (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4), approaches the Temple of Jerusalem’s treasury where all toss coins into a trumpet-shaped repository and put in two small brass coins- what has come to be known as “mites”. These were the last cents in her household, the only thing standing between her and total poverty. They were worth less than two cents. Jesus took this opportunity to share a most important  lesson to His students. He observed that others came to give out of their abundance- often as a show for their wealth. She gave all. She showed more love, more devotion to what is truly important. Hers was the Way, the rule as it were, to live in a “godly” manner. By giving all she was demonstrating she was, in true Faith, ready to receive the All. This All does include earthly abundance, and while there is no further mention of her in Scripture, I would bet everything that she was well taken care of in this world.

This writing is not meant to be taken as an injunction to give away all of our things. It is not meant to be a call for self-denial. It is oriented towards having us reflect on our true abundance, and “whose” abundance it truly is. We do not own abundance, but we can be vessels of True Reception. We cannot completely give until we can learn to truly receive. When we can begin that path of Divine Reception, then we can (humbly) realize what is the Source of all Abundance.

If I may put in my own “two cents”, (this expression being derived from that widow’s offering), let every breath be one of “Charity”. We breathe in, we breathe out. From our very first moment of Life on Earth, to our very last. We can align ourselves in this manner with the Quality of Charity. Take a moment in your day, in your week, to breathe in the Abundant Gift of Unqualified Love, the Essence of all Charity. Ask, as a fellow child of the Divine, to be aligned with this Breath. Ask that you may increase the capacity to receive this Charity for yourself that you may share it with all others.

Next week we will dig our wells deeper for the “How-to” portion of sharing with others. This includes practical processes (and tips) on True Giving as well as guidance on Spiritual Discernment (not everyone is ready to receive). An addicted relative or person on the street may not be capable of utilizing the money for their own good.