Gifts, Giving

A gift is present; any thing given or bestowed; any thing, the property of which is voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation; an offering or oblation.Webster’s American Dictionary
  >Giving is to bestow, especially officially, to confer; to accord or tender to another, to entrust to another.Oxford English Dictionary


“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”—Luke 6:38


A gift is something that you bestow voluntarily and without thought of compensation or reward. Giving is generosity of soul in action. Giving is a law of doing, a virtue and a Via Christa Degree. Giving is the keynote of the second lesser trinity of the 33 Via Christa Degrees, and it includes the Degrees of Inspiration, Justice and Religion.










Edna Lister on Giving

God gives you what you give others.—Edna Lister, Mind, Broadcasting and Tuning In, January 26, 1933.


You benefit not by getting love, but by freely giving love.—Edna Lister, The Sermon on the Mount, January 31, 1933.


When you give to your children in deep love because you want to, not because you must or because the world demands it—you do not make them selfish, only deeply appreciative. If you give grudgingly or talk about how much you have given, they may grow hateful, cold and selfish. They may think they might as well get and enjoy all they can because you do not really care anyhow.—Edna Lister, August 1934.


You must earn everything in life, and you receive through giving.—Edna Lister, Recognizing Your Good, April 22, 1934.


The standard of action always has two phases, giving and receiving: Giving is the action, and receiving is the reaction. If your action is the giving of the good, it will automatically create expansion, leading you and others toward the Light. Anything less creates contraction, which blocks greater Light. Right action is always reciprocal. Reciprocity is the state or condition of being reciprocal, a state or relationship in which there is mutual action and influence, giving and receiving.—Edna Lister, Your Standard of Action, March 22, 1935.


To teach is the impulse of every noble soul, which is a form of giving.—Edna Lister, The Fourth Degree, April 6, 1935.


You must give of yourself in complete sacrifice, to be used by God’s Power.—Edna Lister, The Sacredness of All Life, April 12, 1935.


Give unto God that mead of love untrammeled by negligence and lukewarmness or lack in faith. Give to Him freely, gloriously and be assured of His loving care and “added things” in due season after your own degree and kind of desires.—Edna Lister, August 25, 1938.


Triumph comes from giving to God first.—Edna Lister, Remembrance, September 4, 1938.


Let no one think that the full mysteries of God shall be revealed without due sacrifice. If that sacrifice of seeking is too great a burden, then the gift of knowledge is too precious to receive without earning. Only sacrifice of selfish ideas, time and effort in prayer, and praise shall be considered as compensation of giving to receive of God’s glorious bounties. Those who sacrifice much time and effort are considered to have made full payment to partake of the Chalice of Wisdom. These revelations open only through the full sacrifice of leaving all earthly things behind in praise and prayer. Heed then, and act; follow, and make sacrifice.—Edna Lister, November 6, 1938.


When called upon, always give more than is asked of time, effort, love, compassion, strength—and the greatest of these is gratitude. Give of this in abundance, lest you crystallize what you brought with you in the beginning.—Edna Lister, November 12, 1938.


Drudgery polishes the idea of giving, of being willing to do anything to become the servant of the All That Is.—Edna Lister, March 9, 1939.


The law is “Give and ye shall receive.” When anyone asks for outer credit for giving, he is taking full payment-in-kind for all he gives. If he does this long enough, only outer credit will be his. Selflessness gives no thought to what anyone else does or leaves undone, never allowing one thought of criticism to enter the mind or heart—never looking to the right or left. This applies to all alike. Only God can judge as to merits or demerits. Only God can say, “They deserve. They do not deserve.” To say this is to credit yourself, which is self-satisfaction.—Edna Lister, November 13, 1940.


God’s pleasure is to give, as the Master said, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.—Luke 12:32.—Edna Lister, Flaming Desire, May 26, 1941.


Give love for love, love to love, love as love, love as Power to overcome all evil of darkness remaining.—Edna Lister, October 3, 1941.


Be great enough to give your all, everything, and ask nothing in return.—Edna Lister, October 28, 1941.


When you give enough, then the Light fills you and you become the Light. Yet you must give self completely in worship of God as Light, as the only glory. When you forget self in worship of and service to the Light, then you shine!—Edna Lister, December 30, 1941.


You cannot wait to receive more before giving more. If you do, chances are you’ll never create the opportunity to show the world how good you are. Someone will always beat you to the next step by just a few minutes. Edna Lister, Life in a Nutshell, “Your Five-Year Plan,” 1942.


You must give enough to balance what you ask from others, and then some.—Edna Lister, January 1, 1942.


Be ever alert and pray without ceasing, for you cannot have as your own anything you do not give. Prayer does return to you as added things. It does come home.—Edna Lister, July 9, 1942.


God gives law as a gift, free and complete, so that you may always know exactly what to do when you meet a problem.—Edna Lister, August 12, 1942.


“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”—Luke 6:38. Think only of God, and give to man. You may not even remember that you are giving, but unconsciously give in “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” of God’s bounty through you, as the perfect servant of all His Power.—Edna Lister, December 1, 1942.


We have so little we can really give God. Always, you can make an interference a gift to God, the gift of time and effort. You cannot attain soul conquering with lip service, but by what you give to God. Lay all self, which interferes with your soul’s desires, on the altar now.—Edna Lister, March 3, 1943.


A promise given by the Father becomes a heavenly law, and when you give a promise, it becomes a law that you must fulfill at some future day.—Edna Lister, October 14, 1943.


When you step into earth’s oblivion, you cannot see clearly but “through a glass darkly.” You forget past lives, your experiences and where your loyalties were anchored. You recall just enough vaguely to work out your soul debts. What you give to others lifts your own debts.—Edna Lister, November 3, 1944.


Lay down your old ways of living, your selfish ways, your interfering ways, your demanding ways, for the unselfish ways of God. You find the outer expression of the ways of God in giving, giving, giving, without thought of how much or how little you are giving.—Edna Lister, Five Keys of the Kingdom, 1945.


Each bit of self lifted as a precious gift to God, calls an avalanche of joy from His heart of love.—Edna Lister, January 2, 1945.


To open the way to new employment: Stand on a firm foundation of unconquerable faith until God opens a new door. Polish your soul taints until your soul shines like a flawless diamond, reflecting only God’s life and Light. Let nothing mar this gift of full standing on faith, until God’s Light causes those who now say no to say yes. This is your chance to stand and give a supreme gift to God. Give of your heart and mind.—Edna Lister, February 28, 1945.


This is the law of all creation: Give and you shall receive. A tithe is taken during each moment you praise and is used to cover the world’s spiritual debts, or they never would be paid. So, it takes more giving to make your creations visible.—Edna Lister, April 1, 1945.


What you give in prayer shall be returned to you in abundance of all good things.—Edna Lister, May 21, 1945.


Give while you may to God and man. Wherever you see or feel a need, give.—Edna Lister, July 5, 1945.


What you give, you gain. Unalterable law holds it for you against anyone who would covet that for which another has sacrificed.—Edna Lister, July 15, 1945.


Love cannot fill a vessel already full. God cannot fill you unless you empty the old. You must learn many laws well before you empty your vessel. You could empty it all at once, but you do not. As you empty your vessel, a drop at a time, God puts in a drop of Light. Drop for drop, God gives as you do.—Edna Lister, July 17, 1945.


You will be the perfect and full instrument when you see the Master only and not yourself or what you are doing for him. Pray and see others receiving legacies, salaries, prizes, and sharing with you. Beware, let you grow selfish in your desire to give, which closes all your opened channels of receiving.—Edna Lister, July 17, 1945.


You must learn to accept gracefully that which others give you. Merely accepting with little or no gratitude is different from accepting, knowing that one day you will have much to give them in return for their giving. Now, you may give appreciation and joy, and show it in many ways.—Edna Lister, July 20, 1945.


You have been given the power of the love of God. (Use it.) You have been given the power of right faith. (Use it. Become unconquerable.) You have been given the power of full glory of Light. (Use it.) You have been given the full consciousness of God, complete for every hour of every day. (Hold it.) You have been given the power of the joy of God. (So live.) You have been given the power of full vision. (Look up.) You have been given the power of full hearing of God. (Listen to Him.) You have been given the power of the virtue of prayer without ceasing.—Edna Lister, September 24, 1945.


You have been given the power of right thinking. (Use it.) You have been given the power of right love. (Use it.) You have been given the power of right seeing. (Use it.) You have been given the full power of right hearing. (Use it.) You have been given the power of right discrimination. (Use it.) You have been given the power of right reason. (Use it.) You have been given the power of right use of Light. (So use.) You have been given all power over darkness. (Use it.) You have been given the full power of all discretion. (So use it.)—Edna Lister, October 1, 1945.


Love is giving, not getting and feeds upon itself, not upon the loved one. Seek no special interest in love.—Edna Lister, May 13, 1946.


When someone compliments you, say, “Father, let him receive double.”—Edna Lister, October 15, 1946.


Give, yet make no other soul selfish.—Edna Lister, April 17, 1947.


That which you give, the Father rolls up and adds to your soul.—Edna Lister, May 4, 1947.


Our work is a challenge to become ingenious in all ways in giving gifts to the Father. Even cleaning out a closet is cleaning out the darkness of the appetitive soul and subconscious mind. Take joy in all you do because it is a gift to the Father if you will offer it to Him.—Edna Lister, June 12, 1947.


Stop trying to get something for nothing. Give as you go along in life.—Edna Lister, August 20, 1947.


Give! Give in love. Do not withhold, but give of yourself freely. You benefit not by getting love but by freely giving it to the Father and Master. You take everything back to God and give it to Him through love, lifting and serving.—Edna Lister, November 13, 1947.


Make the other fellow feel big about giving a gift to prepare the way for him to give.—Edna Lister, June 5, 1948.


Your only means of giving to the Father, besides service, is by offering praise and thanksgiving. Devotion is the swiftest way to repay Him for all He gives.—Edna Lister, October 3, 1950.


Maintain a constant watchfulness over giving and receiving so that you will always be able to do great things.—Edna Lister, Gifts and Giving, June 14, 1953.


Paid debts of darkness are the only gifts you really have to give the Father.—Edna Lister, July 4, 1955.


The “more and more plan“ of life is giving of yourself instead of feeling that you can’t.—Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1956.


Don’t be simply a go-getter, but a go-giver as well.—Edna Lister, From Halley’s Comet to Spaceships, January 29, 1956.


How can you say, “I don’t have to take this! He can’t do this to me!” Remember, “This is mine to lift.” Make resentments and thoughts of self gifts to God, and from the heart of your soul, not from the teeth out.—Edna Lister, April 14, 1956.


God’s gifts are not to be mocked by man.—Edna Lister, April 14, 1956.


Our keynote is giving, not asking.—Edna Lister, October 22, 1956.


You cannot make headway in life unless you are on the giving end.—Edna Lister, The Life, Your Practice, October 28, 1956.


A “gift” means “I give a gift of self for others.”—Edna Lister, November 5, 1956.


You either give what you have to God or you give to demand credits for what you have given.—Edna Lister, November 17, 1956.


You can afford to be generous, because if you look up, the Father will o’ershadow you.—Edna Lister, November 18, 1956.


Someone who loves enough must deliberately scrape it up and give all darkness to the Father as their gift. It ascends according to the purity of our mind, heart and purpose. You cannot lift any more than you are. You cannot lift any higher than you are.—Edna Lister, November 26, 1956.


The Master’s invitation, “Come, sup with me and I will sup with you,” is a challenge to ascend, to think higher. More life is necessary to give, to love, to live. Let the old satisfaction go to grasp the new life.—Edna Lister, February 20, 1957.


Give! Like a clogged pepper shaker, you just clear another hole, when you could open it totally if you move up in consciousness and let. Take the lid off your shaker and stop relying on little holes.—Edna Lister, February 20, 1957.


God never rebukes or reprimands without giving you a supreme gift of regal attitudes and expressions in exchange for old ones.—Edna Lister, April 10, 1957.


You receive the fresh manna, which God gives daily, only when you hold Oversoul’s I AM consciousness.—Edna Lister, June 6, 1957.


You do not yet know your great destiny, the power of your spoken word or the gifts to come.—Edna Lister, July 4, 1957.


Bless the invisible gift and increase it one thousandfold, as it goes forth, and in its return to the giver.—Edna Lister, October 3, 1957.


Anyone who is conscious of giving is living under self-imposed martyrdom.—Edna Lister, The Point of No Return, December 15, 1957.


When you think you are giving too much, you stop giving, stop drawing on the Light moving through, and sag at the seams.—Edna Lister, Come Ye Apart, April 20, 1958.


Only when you give love do you get love.—Edna Lister, September 8, 1958.


Make illness a gift to the Father to cleanse a taint in your desire body. Then you are free to ascend.—Edna Lister, October 9, 1958.


Treasures of darkness in the self are the only gifts you have to give God. A line of Light runs to the anchor of the first dark speck you lift. “I now name as mine everything the world repudiates, and I lift it to the Father.” Repudiate nothing! Darkness seems worse when you draw near the Light because you become a whirling sun center of Light that draws in all to be lifted.—Edna Lister, October 17, 1958.


The art of loving is the art of balanced giving. You have no business giving in a way that spoils or ruins another’s joy.—Edna Lister, Idealization, May 10, 1959.


All that comes is a gift of God. Someone might hand you salt instead of sugar. If they call you a name, it is a darkness “gift” you can give, in turn, to God.—Edna Lister, May 24, 1959.


Call everything that you receive a gift to increase it ten thousandfold in vibration. Thank God for it, with no pinpricks on givers’ lack of generosity. Declare the increase to return to the stingiest person you know, and the change will come to you. Share with the stingy the divine Mind, Power and Substance that manifests as cars, clothes, vacations.—Edna Lister, May 24, 1959.


Paint in beauty whatever the world gives you. All that comes to you is a good gift from God that dashes around the world touching every similar vibration before it returns.—Edna Lister, May 24, 1959.


You are each in your own place, working out your comprehension of law and you are compensated in proportion to your own stingy giving.—Edna Lister, Your Full Birthright, December 6, 1959.


Give the love of God selflessly, generously, totally.—Edna Lister, February 22, 1960.


Giving creates wealth, but withholding impoverishes the soul.—Edna Lister, June 6, 1960.


One of the greatest keys to the kingdom is “Diligence where thou art.” You begin by praising and thanking God for the gift of life within you, and take off from there.—Edna Lister, March 30, 1962.


The greatest gift to God is to look into the face of darkness and worship Light.—Edna Lister, April 2, 1962.


The keynote of love you strike opens the vibration. Then lay all your gifts on the altar, especially the dark, smudgy ones, and let your love shine forth pure, unanchored by problems of living in the world. This is how to take your shoes off at the door to the Holy of Holies and lay your worldly gifts on the altar.—Edna Lister, Loyalty, Your Chief Officer, April 15, 1962.


Begin the day with an expectant attitude and desire to cover others’ transgressions, take the blame, lift the error and give more love to open the full kingdom of the Source.—Edna Lister, April 27, 1962.


Some people belong to houses, land, cars and food, others to money. Some belong to self so totally that they never think of giving, and so never receive anything of law.—Edna Lister, True Thought Forms Your Ideals and Desires, September 9, 1962.


Make every task a gift to the Lord.—Edna Lister, March 24, 1963.


Dedicate yourself to conquering today with your first thought in the morning. Make negative things gifts to God, and use only love.—Edna Lister, July 8, 1963.


I lift, as my gift to God, everything the world can connect my name with as a participant or as a bystander. This is the only way I, as an initiate, can be certain my subconscious self cannot get away with anything, and the only way I can control it into obedience.—Edna Lister, July 28, 1964.


We are always giving and doing. What returns to us tells us what we are really giving and doing.—Edna Lister, Love in Action, August 4, 1964.


You must balance giving with receiving. Receive Light from above, then give it out.—Edna Lister, Number, the Spoken Word, November 23, 1965.


God sent us here to live by the principle of giving. When you feel drained by giving, just another small gift can tear away the veils.—Edna Lister, November 4, 1968.


It’s odd to be proud of giving a “widow’s mite” when you could be giving like a millionaire.—Edna Lister, February 5, 1970.


Your effort of love, the quality of your belief in love governs your giving.—Edna Lister, The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, December 13, 1970.


There is no gift without the giver, no love without one who loves; otherwise, all giving is all for self.—Edna Lister, The Prodigal Son, December 20, 1970.


To inspire others, you must give beyond what they expect.—Edna Lister, Undated Papers, 1933-1971.


People say, “I’d give you the shirt off my back.” Give less shirt and more love.—Edna Lister, Undated Papers, 1933-1971.

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A Parable About Giving

Edna Lister wrote this parable about giving November 13, 1938.

A merchant there was, great in his vision, and great was his service. When those who buy came unto him, he served them greatly. More of his goods gave he unto them than they could ask. His shelves were always empty, being filled again daily from the storehouse.

He waxed and prospered, for his goods were always fresh and of fine flavor. Therefore, his fellow citizens came ever increasingly unto him and his fame went abroad. His justice became known, he called in much help.

He built many granaries and enlarged his buildings to hold more shelves, which in turn he emptied speedily, giving always more than was asked “Because,” said he, “the Lord hath prospered me. Therefore shall I tithe unto Him in praise.” And to the buyer of goods saith he, “This give I unto you because of thy help in prospering me before all men.” He grew in stature and all men, even from far countries, came in unto him to find the way of law.

Hear of the second merchant. He thought that he must save a bit on each customer coming to him to buy that he might make his goods last a little longer, and that he might collect just a little more for his goods than his neighbor. Thought he, “My neighbor will soon be impoverished with his over fullness of giving. Therefore shall I save the little I may that when my neighbor is undone, I may have plenty and to spare for those who come to me a-buying.” So he moved not that which he had, until the few who came to buy found false statements, inferior products because of loss in holding, until they came not at all, but went where goods were sweet to the nostrils and flavorful to the tongue, and where they received more than was asked.

Hear then of the fate of the one who saved. Mold and rust crept into his saved stores, nothing moved from his shelves, or storehouse. It had no circulation of life through giving, and that man lost first his trade for lack of giving, second his mind because he blamed others for his own selfishness and greed, third his high estate because he crystallized all his possession of Substance, Power, Life and Light upon earth and could bring none back unto the Father. That man must make many trips out into earth to release, and carry back that entrusted unto him in the beginning.

The Father has charge of all Substance, Power, Life and Light under Him and cannot allow a Creator god to pass Him without due accounting and return of all which he brought forth to use in his Pilgrimage to earth and upon earth. When called upon, always give more than is asked of thee of time, effort, Love, Compassion, strength and the greatest of these is Gratitude. Give of this in abundance, lest what thou didst bring with thee in the beginning shall crystallize, and thou mayest not pass into the higher kingdoms above.

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Stories That Illustrate Gifts and Giving

The Widow’s Mite:

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.—Mark 12:41-44.


And [Jesus] looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.—Luke 21:1-4.


Giving What You Do Have:

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.—Acts 3:1-8.

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Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.—Matthew 5:42.


Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.—Luke 6:30.


Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.—Luke 6:38.


Everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him God will ask the more.—Luke 12:48.


Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.—Matthew 7:6.


Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.—Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11:9.


Freely ye have received, freely give.—Matthew 10:8.


For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.—Matthew 13:12.


For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.—Mark 4:25.


Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.—Luke 8:18.


For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.


If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me—Matthew 19:21. [Give up the "world."]


Give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.—Luke 11:41.


Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.—Luke 12:32.


For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.—Luke 12:48.


If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?—Luke 16:12.


For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.—John 3:34-35.


All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.—John 6:37. [All that the Father gives you will come to you, and you may by no means cast out the one who comes to you.]


And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.—John 6:39. [The Father’s will is that of all He has given you, you should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.]


I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.—John 10:11.


Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.—John 14:27. [Christ gave you his peace eternally, not as the world gives.]

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Old Testament on Gifts and Giving

Tithing, the vow of the tenth part: And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.—Genesis 28:20-22.


Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.—Psalm 29:1-2.


Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.—Psalm 37:4.


The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.—Psalm 37:21.


God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light.—Psalm 118:27.


The Lord gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.—Proverbs 2:6.


[The Lord] scorns the scorners: but he gives grace unto the lowly.—Proverbs 3:34.


A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.—Proverbs 18:16.


He that hath pity upon the poor lends unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.—Proverbs 19:17.


Whoso boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.—Proverbs 25:14.


If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 25:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.—Proverbs 25:21-22.


The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lightens both their eyes.—Proverbs 29:13.

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Gifts and Giving in Other Sacred Writings


There can no good come to him who is always occupied in evil, nor to him who gives no alms.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:3.


Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:4.


Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:7.


Feed those who are hungry, and give repose to those who are weary, and raise up those who wish to rise, and awaken those who sleep, for you are the understanding that is drawn forth. If strength acts thus, it becomes even stronger.—The Gospel of Truth, Codex I, 3 and XII, 2:52.


God is pure, immeasurable mind. He is life-giving life. He is a blessedness-giving blessed One. He is knowledge-giving knowledge. He is goodness-giving goodness. He is mercy and redemption-giving mercy. He is grace-giving grace, not because He possesses it, but because He gives the immeasurable, incomprehensible Light.—The Apocryphon of John, Codex III, 10.


Faith receives, love gives. No one will be able to receive without faith. No one will be able to give without love. Because of this, in order that we may indeed receive, we believe, and in order that we may love, we give, since if one gives without love, he has no profit from what he has given.—Gospel of Philip, Codex II, 3.


He who has received a gift does not have to give it back, but of him who has borrowed it at interest, payment is demanded. This is the way it happens to one who experiences a mystery.—Gospel of Philip, Codex II, 3.


If the disciple of God is sensible, he understands what discipleship is all about. The bodily forms will not deceive him, but he will look at the condition of the soul of each one and speak with him. There are many animals in the world which are in a human form. When he identifies them, to the swine he will throw acorns, to the cattle he will throw barley and chaff and grass, to the dogs he will throw bones. To the slaves he will give only the elementary lessons, to the children he will give the complete instruction.—Gospel of Philip, Codex II, 3.


Truth is like ignorance: while it is hidden, it rests in itself, but when it is revealed and is recognized, it is praised, inasmuch as it is stronger than ignorance and error. It gives freedom.—Gospel of Philip, Codex II, 3.


Some, who although having wings, rush upon the visible things that are far from the truth. For the fire, which guides them, will give them an illusion of truth, will shine on them with a perishable beauty, and it will imprison them in a dark sweetness and captivate them with fragrant pleasure. And it has fettered them with its chains and bound all their limbs with the bitterness of the bondage of lust for those visible things that will decay and change and swerve by impulse. They are attracted downwards; as they are killed, they are assimilated to all the beasts of the perishable realm.—Thomas the Contender, Codex II, 7.

[This "fire" is not the high Light, but the creative fire, which being rooted and grounded in desire, seduces the body to attend to the "truth of appearances" first. Thus is the human will suborned and eventually corrupted to serve the dubious pleasures of the physical.]


Do not lay down any rules beyond what Christ appointed, and do not give a law like the lawgiver lest you be constrained by it.—Gospel of Mary 4:38.

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Edna Miriam Lister
1884—1971
The original Pioneering Mystic,
Christian Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.


Edna Lister


Etymology of giving: Middle English given, from Old Norse gefa, "to give."


Giving is a law of doing.

Giving is a Via Christa Degree.

Giving is a soul virtue.


Quote

Giving is true having.—Charles Haddon Spurgeon


References

Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, 2024.

The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).

The Nag Hammadi Library. James M. Robinson, ed. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1988.

The Oxford English Dictionary: Compact Ed., 2 vols. E.S.C. Weiner, ed. Oxford University Press, 1971.

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. John Ploughman’s Talk: Or, Plain Advice for Plain People. Philadelphia: Henry Altemus, 1896, 184.