How Giving Can Sustain You

Opinion piece

Last year brought a great deal of fear and anxiety about our economy and our personal finances. We have seen our investments decline by ten per cent over a few days, so a natural reaction is hunker down and protect our investments and our family and forget about other people.

Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People wrote we have a choice of how we spend our time and energy, and essentially it is in one of two circles There is the circle of concern and the circle of influence. The circle of concern includes everything that we focus time and energy on. We have very little influence over most of what this circle includes. For instance, there is little we can do in these times of economic crisis beyond discussing prudent precautions with our investment planner.

Each of us also has a circle of influence.  This circle includes those areas where our energy and time, our money and attention, can make a difference. In times of crisis it becomes even more important to focus on our circle of influence. When we focus our energy on our circle of influence, we gain more influence, and can have a greater impact. Giving is a core part of our circle of influence. Giving time, money, kindness or forgiveness all make powerful changes within their circle of influence.

Long ago, a tiny tribe of Hebrews managed to preserve its cultural identity and flourish despite many obstacles. How did this tribe manage to flourish while so many other more powerful nations disappeared? Part of the answer might be found in the teachings and the practices of the Torah dealing with the concept and practice of Tzadakah or charity.

While most of mankind lived under barbaric and savage conditions 3,200 years ago, a small group of Hebrews engaged in far reaching humanitarian practices, such as charity, helping the poor, the widowed and the sick. Practices we would today clearly define as modern "social action". For example, the Torah guides those gathering the crops of their field to leave the corners for the poor.

The most succinct and detailed instructions about charity come from the Talmud, which contains passages describing the desirable conduct in helping the poor. Citing the Bava Bathra chapters, "Charity is equal in importance to all other commandments combined."

Or another, "Who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses."

The concept of charity was and is mandatory to the Hebrew tribe and perhaps the power of giving helped to sustain one of the world's oldest existing civilizations.

May you also be sustained through giving!

Mathieu Powell - Senior Living Magazine