Charity

To give is our most divine privilege. To give without saying it's from you is divinity tenfold. To give to someone who is hungry when you are just as hungry yourself is divinity thousand fold. To give when you are sacrificed; bruised and bloodied; stretched to the limits of pain by the one who needs you; that is an infinite divinity. Give freely without expecting something back, you will experience the purest joy. Seldom does something we receive bring more joy than something we have given, unless we are still children mired in our possessions. Yet when you receive, act as if it is the greatest joy, and always except what is coming your way, even if it is too much. Those who want to give you something are finding charity in themselves, with you as the benefactor; do not reject their appeal to divinity.

Discretion must also be taken when giving. If you give something useless, that is only seen as an obligation, you do more harm to the receiver than you realize, for your relationship will seem less important to them. You wouldn't give a bone to your cat, or a guitar to a piano player. Just because you like something doesn't mean they will. Why make a steak for a vegetarian? Always have their needs in mind when you give, what you think they'll want. And if you are too ignorant about someone to know what they need, either get to know them better or give nothing but your attention.

When you think you have nothing to give, get creative. Never wait until you have a lot of money to give a lot, or the opportunity may never come, you may just be making excuses to yourself. Give something immaterial instead, like your smile, your energy, your muscles, your labor, your cooking- there are a great number of things to give that are not material. A similar excuse is being too busy. The things you truly value are what you spend the most time on, so if it is not charity then don't pretend you are a saint.