Omer count – Day 21 begins with a few questions. Do we include dignity along with our compassion? All of the other aspects of compassion are not complete without it.
AN ANCIENT PROVERB
We’ve all heard the old saying: “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.”
That ancient quote, which seems to be anonymous, holds so much wisdom for us to consider. Teaching the man to fish reserves his dignity. Giving him a fish only makes him another charity case.
GIVING OF TIME INSTEAD OF POSSESSIONS
This brings us to yet another profound realization about getting along in this world. It is the fact that giving of your time is a more humane charity than giving of your possessions.
Maimonides had a lot to say about this subject. He wrote about the eight degrees of the duty of charity in “The Religious Intelligencer” way back in 1826.
Here is a quote from that article which I find very interesting in relation to today’s counting:
“Lastly, the eighth and the most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty, namely, to assist the reduced brother, either by a considerable gift or loan of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding up his hand for charity. . .”
MAINTAINING THE RECEIVER’S SELF-RESPECT
The above is a great example of compassion with dignity. This act both recognizes the person’s individual sovereignty and boosts the self-esteem while cultivating human dignity. It allows you and the person receiving your act of charity or kindness to establish a friendship and respect for one another.
This is such a higher level of giving and receiving because it multiplies into the future of the receiver and warms the heart of the giver.
QUESTIONS:
So before you begin to give; ask yourself a few questions:
Is this thing that I am doing expressing dignity as well as compassion?
Do I manifest and emphasize majesty in this act of kindness?
Will the person receiving realize that this compassion is a gift from God and not just me?
Do I display the Glory of God with my actions and will it create a ripple effect in the person who receives?
WATCHING THE RIPPLES MULTIPLY
It is fun to have the time to experience the simple act of throwing a rock into some water and watching the circles it creates grow and multiply into many more circles which keep going on and on from the force of the energy of the rock hitting the water.
This is what happens when we give with the proper measure of compassion. It shows the sovereignty of God that resides in all human hearts and that is passed on and on through each person who receives.
COMMON CONTRIBUTORS
Parents create this type of compassion when they take the time to steer their children in the proper directions of life. Grandparents who set aside time to spend with their grandchildren pass on unforgettable lessons that they will grow up and teach to others.
Compassionate acts from doctors, nurses, teachers, preachers and many others keep the ripple effect in motion. This gives us all a better world in which to live, work, worship and play.
The ripple effect can cause complete transformation in the end. Want to know the equation for transformation? Click here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/death-with-a-view/.
THE GREATEST FISHERMAN
How many times do we know of when Jesus taught us by using the art of fishing? This article gives a few details: https://the-living-well.org.uk/going-fishing-with-jesus/.
He said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” We can learn so much about compassion with dignity from all of the amazing examples that our Messiah set before us.
So why not follow Him and go fishing? Remember to take your dignity along in your tackle box.