SELL what you have – give to the poor
When I was just out of high school, my dad passed on suddenly, leaving my mom to raise 8 children. To help support the family, I went to school part-time and worked a full-time job and two part-time jobs.
One job was in a small, exclusive women’s clothing store. I usually did accounting, but one Saturday, at the start of the fall coat season, they were short two people on the sales team. Each year there was a contest to see which salesperson could sell the most coats that first Saturday.
I hadn’t had a new winter coat in ages. I was thrilled to see the new lines from each design house, touch the fabrics, and imagine wearing them. By the time the doors opened and our customers began streaming in, I was sold on the beauty and value of each coat. It was easy, then, to sell them to others.
I loved imagining how each customer would look in her perfect style. Peacock blue on a redhead. A red swing coat on a tall mother of teens. I was so excited to share my love for these coats. By the end of the day, I’d won the contest, and was offered an amazing new weekend job that more than doubled what I could give to my family.
Everyone has something of value they’re sold on. So sell it and give to the poor. If you’re sold on the value of gold, go sell that, and give riches to those who need what gold buys. But if what you’ve got in your storehouse is compassion, kindness, tenderness, trust in God, faith in forgiveness . . . then be sold on that.
Let awareness of its value absolute exude from you, and give what you glean from that experience to the poor suffering heart. In this way, we’re all capable of this Radical Act. We’re all “haves“ to someone else’s “have not.”
Kate Robertson, Summer 2012
Related Bible citations
Matthew 19:20-30 Mark 10:17-31 Luke 18:18-30
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I am so sold on this Radical Acts forum…that I am giving it to EVERYONE I know…
I know this sounds a bit like an “easy out” on this very demanding Radical Act…but it’s not. It would, sometimes, be easier to sell my furniture (which would mean we’d be sitting on the floor) and give the proceeds to the poor, than to boldly share links to this site with fellow volunteers at hospice or fellow hospital chaplains. But it’s gotten easier and easier as I’ve been willing to prayerfully support mankind’s receptivity to the site’s underlying message of healing, love, and compassion. It’s demanded something new of me. I am grateful.
That is so wonderful Kate! Going into high school it seemed as if overnight all of my closest friends started drinking and heavily went into the “party scene”. All of a sudden I was this little kid in a 2,100 student population school with no friends to spend time with on the weekends. The old saying, “there are no atheists in a foxhole” is totally true. I was so down that it seemed that I had nobody who liked me (my foxhole), that at a certain point, it became pretty clear that the most reliable thing out there was God, Love. I made a very conscious decision to make EVERYTHING about my interaction with people Loving. I wanted to BEAM love! Anything from a handshake to a smile, conversation, football tackle, head nod, high five, bathroom visits, making lunch, sleeping.. EVERYTHING with Love. Let me tell you, just as quick as it seemed that I lost my friends, I had this INTENSE AND LIVELY social life! And it remained that way all through high school. People would take breaks from partying so they could hang out with me! When I was loving everybody so genuinely, EVERYBODY was my friend. I never thought about that story in the context of this act until your comment. We have gotta GIVE GIVE GIVE or LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Thank you Kate!
John and Jake – what a GREAT way to interpret this act – and I love that you both were in sales!
I don’t know if this has already been published, but I had this really cool thought so i wanna share it
This year for Christmas my family is tired of buying gifts. We are all trying to get my Grandma on board with our gift to each other being quality family time. She is really into the whole gift giving and it made me think of a present i gave to my best friend for her birthday. I wrote her all these things I loved about her and put them in the shape of her name. I then famed it and gave it to her. when she got it she thought it was a nice gift but when she started reading it and realized that it was a personal message to her, she was so touched at how much I loved her and this cool way of expressing it. So back to my Grandma I told her that hearing what qualities someone thinks you express much better than a physical gift?
This story reminded me of this idea of giving what you have, even if you don’t have a lot, the qualities you express ( love, joy, caring, peaceful, etc) are much better than any physical thing and will leave a lasting impression on the person.
Meredith this is so cool. Years ago someone mean made my mother cry. That’s hard to do because she’s such a tough person. My response was to write down everything I could think of to thank her for. Which is a LOT — everything from her matzoh ball soup recipe to teaching me to be a kind and ethical person. I came up with 75 thank yous and wrote them on pink and red hearts I cut out of construction paper. Then put all of them into a beautiful bag I created and decorated with more hearts. She cried BUCKETS over that bag, and still keeps it in a place of honor on her desk.
I love Kate’s interpretation of this Radical Act. We’re always richly able to lavish love on others who momentarily feel poor — whether we have a dime or not.
That is so great Meredith!! There is nothing like a gift full of qualities!!! A very real way of living this act!! Never stop it!!!
A new thing to report on as a follow up on my last comment, the results have been SO CLEAR! People have been coming up to me and reaching out to start conversations! Where at the beginning of this act I felt as if I was fighting an up hill battle, its almost as if I need to catch up to the kindness everybody else is showing me! I was in a park by my apartment a few days ago, and I have EIGHT different people come up to me and start conversations! Some were about football and the weather, but others were quite profound! One highlight was a conversation about goodness and how we know it exists. We talked for maybe a hour! Every single one of the discussions were initiated by others in what might be considered irregular ways. One guy ran across this field to me and out of breath said to me, “You looked like a neat guy so I wanted to talk to you before you left the park! Crazy Seahawks game, huh?” I’m from Seattle and am a HUGE seahawks fan! And how I (in one way or another) had been praying for somebody to talk to about the game! All sorts of needs were being met!
In a small way this selling of what I have and giving to the poor, or how I have interpreted it, make all actions humble and selfless. Carol Norton, CSD once wrote when talking about his life model or ideal, “to be artless in all human association.” I looked up what artless meant and it says, “free from deceit or cunning; natural.” I feel that not only is my work helping me be artless in human association, but its allowing others to do the same!!! What a cool radical act!
I know I’m coming in late, but better late than never, right?! For those of you already in this fantastic conversation, my name is Jake! I’m a recent journal listed practitioner, and this radical act is such a nice parallel to my practice. For anybody who is not familiar with the term “journal listed practitioner” my job is essentially to pray with folks who are struggling with something to find healing! Best job EVER! The call to put these radical acts into practice is so apparent! The unselfish Love it takes to be willing to “sell all you have – to give it to someone else” is a HUGE humble kick in the pants for me!
Similar to Kate, I worked in sales for a couple of years. The “up-system” is what we call the rules for which customers you get. That way the store doesn’t have everybody running to the front of the store to claim the customer that walks through the door. One day in particular a co-worker was stealing my ups, and I found myself very upset about this. I had a talk with the individual that went very well, but then right after the talk we had, at the very next opportunity, he stole my customer! I had the most loving inclination however to let him stay with that customer, and to really embrace everyone with Love who walked into the store. The next person who came in wanted nothing to do with me. I happily greeted him and let him know I was there to help if he needed it, and all I heard back were grunts.. Time to put the radical act into practice. What did I have to offer this guy? It was more than what clothes would look good on him, but the qualities I could supply him with. I then asked him what he did for work, and he poured out with how he works in homicide, and his 19 year old son wants to do it. He continued to tell me that he wanted a better life for his son than the one he had, and was on the verge of tears. I told him that his son expressed intelligence, and that he HAD to be in his right place. I told him that there is NOBODY out there who can offer exactly what his son could. And, that his life wasn’t bad. The service and work that he must have had to do was incredible and I expressed my gratitude for him. The man felt much better as we continued talking. He ended up buying over $600 of merchandise and left with the biggest smile on his face! This radical act works, and I am committing to it!
Jake, that is a really neat story! I didn’t have the same experience when I worked in sales (I was a greeter so I was at the front of the store all the time) but I remember how much FUN it was to share joy with all the guys and gals that came in! The store I worked at had some really nice styles, but it had also had some really sexually centered clothes. Obviously people can buy whatever they like, but it was really fun to learn how to get over my fear of speaking honestly and joyfully with customers and suggest perhaps something that really highlighted their beautiful eyes, as opposed to highlighting their physique. Or to chat with a young man and find out that he wanted some clothes that would impress his date, and to be able to chat briefly about how much more important what he would GIVE was, and not so much what pants he wore. Both of these customers, and many others, ended up walking out with super good-looking clothes and accessories that reflected the good in them, as opposed to putting a layer of freshly baked fake on top.
I love knowing that we can live these acts wherever we are – we don’t need a billboard or a “Ready – Go.”
Looking forward to hearing more of your fresh and inspiring stories!
Thank you so much John! That is great work that you were clearly doing with those customers! I loved viewing every person that walked into that store as another BEAUTIFUL opportunity to Love! Who wouldn’t want to do that?!
In the last couple of days, I have felt strongly about the need to simply have love beaming out of me to genuinely and naturally do this. I often take long walks during the day and pass A LOT of people. So yesterday and today I have been making sure, with every person I walk by, to Love them! Each individual is gonna get their own personal slice of some “Jake-Love”, like it or not! It was difficult to actively do it with every person! After an hour or so, it didn’t seem like I was doing much else. However, the interactions I began to have with folks has been SO NEAT! Sometimes its a friendly, “Good morning!” but other times it has formed into entire conversations! A couple of them have been talking about religion! Constantly broadening our view of the opportunities to demonstrate this act has proven to be rewarding work! More progress and specific examples are coming! Brother John, pleasure to be able to do this together!
That is so neat, Jake. I remember from meeting you this past spring that you just shine, and I am so glad to hear that others in your community are all getting to benefit from your love as well!
The usual course of my day does not actually lend itself to tons of walks or outdoor time – I used to be really bummed about this and tried to force those walks into my day, but that just made me even more uncomfortable. I finally realized that selling what you have and giving to the poor isn’t some crazy big thing that I have MAKE SURE I DO IT IN THIS SPECIFIC WAY but rather that I just need to be available to every opportunity to give. This openness has led to really pleasant and inspiring conversations with all sort of folks from all walks of life. Sometimes the tough looking motorcyclist needs a warm smile and hello just as much as the girl sitting on the sidewalk asking for handouts.
So glad you are enjoying such precious community time! What a bountiful harvest indeed :-)
Can you believe that this summer is coming to a close…thank goodness that nothing can stop us from practicing these Radical Acts indefinitely…
This RA of “selling what I have, and giving to the poor,” has been fun to explore this summer. One of the things I have been absolutely “sold” on is my own enjoyment in seeing, calling attention to, and celebrating the gifts, talents, and skill in others…
So that is what I have tried to find the courage to do each day….to WATCH for something worth being “sold on,” recognize its value and worth, and then to share my “being sold on it” back to the person who might not see the riches within him/herself.
You may think this is pretty easy…but not always…and especially not if you are shy (I am)
One example.
I was sitting in a wonderful coffeehouse with my teenage daughters, and a friend, when I noticed a couple of young women talking and laughing. I also noticed that they each had an amazing hand-crafted journal…unlike any I had ever seen before…and believe me, I am a connoisseur of journals.
I hesitated only a minute…or two…then I got up from my seat, walked over (much to the chagrin of my daughters) and asked if I could see her journal. It was even more wonderfully creative and beautiful than I had imagined from my seat across the room. My daughters were mortified, but I knew what I was sold on, and what I could give her. So I told her how beautiful, and unique, they were.
After learning that she hand-crafted them one at a time, I asked her if she would be willing to make journals for my daughters (who by now were not only smitten with the journals, but intrigued by the lovely young woman who made them) she agreed and asked them what they loved…images, colors, authors, etc.
When she delivered the journals they were AMAZING and I’d made a new friend and was able to share with her some ways that I thought she could market her journals more broadly…which she is now doing.
It was a wonderful example (for me, and the girls) of “selling what I had” and giving it to her when she didn’t even know she had a need.
I love this Radical Act….
I love your concept of being “sold on”. We can be sold on anything – including God and Love and other spiritual qualities. Those can clearly be given freely as well. Thanks for the inspiring story Kate.
My parents run a non profit organization and I wanted to share about a Radical Actor they ran into in the last week.
A young man in his 20′s has been involved in the church in San Juan Capistrano but wasnt one to attend every week and after a while he faded out of church for a while. The San Juan Society really supports youth and participated in building homes in Mexico for a number of years. This young man was always involved in taking church action and attended 3 or 4 builds. Being witness to his attendance I didnt think of him as a Radical christian scientist. I now recognize that there are so many other ways to express Christian Science and radical actions. He was acting instead of quietly practicing through reading and studying.
But this last week this man acted in a way that absolutely put me in shock. He sold his car and donated the money to students looking to go to high school in Africa. I was absolutely amazed. He didnt worry about his transportation method but felt strongly that this was a way that he could give and carried out the action. What a powerful action.
Thanks for sharing this Melody. I hope we hear how this guy is blessed by his unselfishness!
Melody what a fabulous story! Maybe your friend would want to jump on here himself at some point. Thank you!!!
YO! That’s what I’m talking about, Melody. SoCal is so much better without a car, anyways ;)
Thought I’d include a link to this itsaboutgood track from our first album, “Clarity.”
The message of Freely Give is pretty explanatory: “The only way I’ll make it is by giving all I have.”
That might mean something different to everyone, but the truth is when you give you always receive.
http://itsaboutgood.bandcamp.com/track/freely-give
The inspiration for this track came from a time in my life when I was struggling to overcome a lot of issues dragging me down from the spiritual height where I knew I belonged. More than giving things away, things kind of fell off. Car. Books (lots of books). Computer. Dvds. Video games. They all just kind of disappeared and got to people who needed them more than I did.
I remember going to Toys R’ Us to sell some of my games. Outside was a young boy collecting money for his basketball team to travel to tournaments. I found that some of the games I bought for $40 or more were being bought back for 5 cents. Seriously.
So I sold back the games and got a gift card for Toys R’ Us. I didn’t have much cash to give the young boy outside for his team, but I shared the gift card with he and his sister. They were ecstatic. Something so simple, so easy, brings so much joy.
And it wasn’t just a coincidence that boy was there. That boy was a product of my desire to overcome the obstacles in my life with unselfishness. God always has his hand in true charity.
Amen.
And in true artistry. What a simple, beautiful, from the heart song!
Hi Maddie…what a wonderful story…thank you for sharing it.
I’ve just finished a session at a camp for teens and I have seen some remarkable instances of selling (being sold on…and then valuing it enough to urge another to consider it’s value) what they had, and giving to those who were “poor in spirit.”
Whether it was being “sold” on a particular spiritual concept that they felt would lead to healing, freedom from fear, or greater courage…they gave, and gave, and gave so freely.
I also learned that there were many ways in which I had (in the past) accepted a sense of lack (or poverty) within myself.
There was a time when I thought of myself as lacking the courage to surmount great heights and had avoided the “high ropes course” for years. I’d couched my resistance in the demands of my work, but when I looked at it squarely in the eye, it was fear (or a lack of courage – love for God expressed as trust in His care).
A number of years ago, two counselors were sold on the fact that I was the full expression of God’s strength, courage, and joy…and insisted that I see what they were so sure of. In the presence of their certainty (and with their encouragement) I discovered that I was NOT lacking courage, strength or a love for vertical adventure. I was rich with these qualities of trust and grace…and I not only completed the high ropes course that summer, but went back and through myself off the “Leap of Faith” platform with a joyful spiritual abandon.
Campers and counselors gave allowed themselves to sell (be convinced of the value of what they had experienced of God’s love in their lives, and help others to see and accept that value for themselves)…and gave their gifts of spiritual experience so selflessly and joyously this summer.
We all have something we are sold on, and it’s easy to give to others, what you believe has great spiritual value.
What an inspiring thread. Thanks to each of you for your selfless loving and willingness to stretch into new ways. I spent alot of years in business accumulating and sharing it, but– since we know that giving is where the real satisfaction is — the biggest joy came from watching a 27′ moving van packed to the rafters with of a huge amount of my ‘stuff’ drive away a few years ago. My young cousin was back from the military and setting up her first home on a very modest budget and was thrilled. What a joy to think of downsizing with less ‘stuff’ so more focus could be on the inner journey and she could start her home with all she and her husband needed.
One can’t help but wonder how little Joseph and Mary took to Egypt when they needed to leave Israel’s Herod-world behind until his efforts to kill the first-born finally ended with his death. They had what they most needed — this Christ child that would save the world. And as long as we remember that Christ, that saving Truth and light, is with us in whatever ‘Egypt’ we find ourselves, we have all the abundance needed. Boy–that is the real substance and can be freely shared and given endlessly through seeing that Christliness in others. Thanks everyone!
Inspired by something Kate said about selling what you value and giving to the poor, I thought of my basement packed to the ceiling with boxes of the last treasures I didn’t want to part with after our move – things of value, things I still love. Inspiration blew through me like a cool summer breeze. “Let it all go. Give it all to others who need it.”
So I have started distributing. My goal this summer is to empty the basement of everything except the Christmas decor.
Today’s blog post focuses on this radical act, so I will share the link with you all – http://www.michellenanouchecsb.com/4/post/2012/07/radical-acts-of-jesus-sell-give-and-grow-spiritually.html
There are some really good comments at the end of the post by more radical actors committed to selling, giving and growing spiritually.
Along these lines, i find that being willing to pay more, say for small farm produced food or hand made items, in order to support honest work is another way to level wealth with honesty. And it also often reminds me that I don’t need so much of anything in the first place.
I can’t stop thinking about this story and the action of courage, confidence, and grace the woman expressed in her “promise” to him. There is something so radical about her certainty that “if he accepted it (her widow’s mite…which had GREAT value to her) he would never lack for a day in his life” Wow…it reminds me of so many of Jesus’ statements of assurance to the people who came to him.
One of the things that continues to engage me as I think about this story is the emphasis she puts on his “acceptance” of her widow’s mite. I’ve spent so much time about what it means to sell, and give…but you have to have someone willing to purchase (value) and accept (your gifts) in order to complete this circle of grace.
It reminds me of what I learned while leading, and facilitating, “foot washings” with high school freshmen, each semester for a number of years. It became so clear that one of the most demanding parts of a foot washing, is not the act of washing feet, but the humility and grace it takes to accept someone’s care.
Accepting the gift so honors and values the giver…and requires such remarkable openness.
Back to your the story, I keep thinking about her valuing of her own widow’s mite, and then her stand for the dignity of that gift…and his humble acceptance. Imagine if, out of pride, he had refused her appreciation for him. But there was such reciprocity of appreciation…and it continued to appreciate…without ceasing.
I know there is so much more to this inspired “story” and I am going to let it bless my giving, and accepting!!
with Love, k.
Selena…what a joy it is to hear your voice on this thread. What you had to give, and the way that you gave it, was perfect. And because it was given with Love, it was “enough!”
Mrs. Eddys says, in Science and Health:
“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!”
This has become my only definition of “enough.” When the thought comes do I have enough to give, I go back to this statement. If I am measuring my resources according to any other model than INFINITE Love filling all space. Then I am starting from a limited, distorted premise and my conclusion will be that whatever I do have to give, will never be enough.
But, if every question about enough started from this premise, that Love fills all space and that anything that is given out from that well of divine abundance…even if it looks like a “widow’s mite,” when given with Love, it is always enough.
You gave from the impartial and universal heart of infinite Love (there is no lesser portion or measure)…that will always be
ENOUGH!!
love, k.
A friend told me a beautiful story yesterday about $20 being enough.
This was back in the ’40s in a rural African-American community. My friend was doing odd jobs, but always looking for steady work. An elderly woman asked him to do major repairs on her house. When he finished, she gave him $20. It was a small amount for all that work, but it was all she had. If he’d accept it, she said, God would make sure he’d never lack for a day in his life.
He graciously accepted it, never doubting. Two days later he was invited to begin construction work at a military facility. He ended up running a large crew, earning enough to raise his seven daughters, and gaining the respect of the whole community. He retired with a generous pension 37 years, 4 months, and 13 days later.
“Sell all you have and give to the poor” can’t have a rigid meaning. What’s all? Who’s poor? Only GIVING seems to matter — giving something that’s not trivial to you.
I love this Nina…
When we give from the deep heart of Love…impelled by Love, resourced by Love, full of Love…it is always enough.
Since reading your post I have been thinking about the “time” element in this story. We might be tricked into thinking, “ah yes, it was in the 40s and $20 went further…” But if time is not a factor (only, as Mrs. Eddy said: “a mortal measurement”)
then whatever has value can’t have (as you have suggested) a rigid value. Value is a spiritual concept and must be as expansive as Sprit itself. So, instead of something that represents “value” ever shrinking, it must grow, expand, appreciate. And when we appreciate something (see recognize it’s value and are grateful) it appreciates (grows in value).
This is a spiritual concept, “the law of appreciation,” that I have been exploring for a couple of decades now, but your story about this woman’s promise that “if he accepted it (her widow’s mite…which had GREAT value to her) he would never lack for a day in his life” seems to have given me another piece of the puzzle. Appreciation doesn’t know time…it only knows it’s own nature…it’s own operation of spiritual law…gratitude and growth, gratitude and growth. Always expanding, never confined to the rigidity of “time” (mortal measurements).
hmmm…I am going to be noodling on this one…deeply…
thanks Nina…much love, k.
one more thought…if time is not a factor in Spirit, every single act of generosity (without any regard for mortal measurements…) when appreciated continues to appreciate FOREVER!! It is always growing in value in our lives, always expanding, always appreciating…each time we appreciate what we have received from the great heart of Love (widow’s mite, or millionaire’s charity…it doesn’t matter in Spirit, they are both just expressions of illimitable, infinite Love) we are “watering” our field of vision so that we can SEE what expansive good is already in front of us.
So, perhaps it’s both about the giving, and the “accepting” (to use the woman’s term) how we accept the Love-inspired gift (with gratitude, wonder, appreciation) engages us more fully in this law of appreciation that is timeless, unstoppable, ever-expansive….
more to noodle on…whewww…I LOVE Radical Acts…full engagement!!!
always, k.
Great thoughts Kate! He made it clear that $20 was a pittance for the work, and he had a family to support. Yet he was confident, at ease, moving in the flow of the situation. He still is, 70 years later!
Just read this. I LOVE it.
Hi wonderful Radical Activists,
I loved this story of Nina’s. Reminds me of something that happened when we first started our consulting business. Everyone counseled to go to lots of networking functions to ‘get’ leads and potential business. That seemed logical to at least meet people so I went to a breakfast one morning only to realize that everyone there was actually looking for a job! But instead of leaving, it became very clear that I was there to GIVE, not to receive. I sat down at a table of strangers and talked with a young man, in transition, next to me. He was very dear, just had moved to a new area, and nervous if he could make a living as an independent consultant. I assured him as I could but the conversation shifted to an upcoming trip he was going to take with his family to Portugal. It sounded lovely. We left and exchanged business cards.
Several months later I had occasion to be in Portugal on business and before leaving, had tucked his business card in my folder and sent him a postcard, sharing the beauty and telling him I knew he and his family would love it.
Six months later the phone rang and it was the largest entertainment client in Los Angeles, asking if we would complete an “RFP” (Request for Proposal) to start a contract. Long story short, it was this young man who had worked for just 3 weeks, two years before, for this client, and recommended me. That piece of business turned into the foundation for a 15 year consulting business that ended up working with every entertainment studio. All built on loving someone else and giving.
Perhaps this is a different definition of ‘poor’ then some of you might be thinking of, but anyone either out of a job, or a new entrepreneur, can certainly be challenged that way.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Everything matters, doesn’t it – every opportunity to shine and share. If we have good to give, we should give – it’s our nature.
Thanks for sharing this story of how we can all give!
I haven’t noticed that we reap what we sow. Instead we seem to reap a crazy huge amount from a tiny kindness to others. Thank you for this story!
A week ago i went to Boston.I saw a poor man holding a cup for money.In my purse I had 20$.So I decited to give him my money.I just want to say if you go and see a eldery person you should help him or her . But be carful they might not be what they are! So that is my radical act!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi fellow radical activists…
i’ve been on a road trip for the past few days and have had LOTS of time to think about my relationship to this (and other) radical acts.
I’d love to share something that is percolating for me about this particular radical act as a “business model”…and please remember that this is what I have been musing about during endless hours of driving…so it may seem a bit tangential…but here goes:
Jesus was speaking with a lawyer when he recommends this model for living.
What came to me, was that he doesn’t say, “sell what you have and give IT to the poor…” But “sell what you have, and give to the poor.” These could be two very different things.
I’ve always modeled my practice of Christian Science after a law office (long story…I’ll link to that story here, if you are interested )
so the concept of setting aside a portion of my “work” for pro bono clients was not new. But, in thinking about this admonition to “sell what I have, and give to the poor,” a new version of this model is taking shape for me.
It includes making the services (offered through this office) “available”…period. Those who are able to purchase (relating to the word “sell”) those services are welcome to value them in that way, but that is not my business…it is my “job” to give it to all…because all are blessed – “poor in Spirit” (Matthew 5: 3) and it is my right to “give freely”
Each will find their way to value this office in the way that they are led, out of the abundance of their own gifts…resources, heartfelt gratitude, ideas, etc.. But it is not mine to make the connection between the selling and the giving. It’s all about availability….for me. I can’t speak for anyone else. But this is where this “radical act” is taking me today. And as I think about other forms of “business,” I can’t help but wonder how this model might free one’s expression of Life!!
A dear friend and mentor once shared with me (when I began this work) a quote that has been a keynote for me:
“It is not a matter of your ability or inability, but of your availability.” – Anonymous
I’m gonna let this percolate for a while….love, k.
Kate, thank you so much for sharing this business philosophy and for the the wonderful new perspective on this radical act. It had never occurred to me to think of each sentence individually, but it does make sense to sell what we have – to make something of the talents and blessings God has given us – and to give to the poor.
I can relate to what you’re saying because I have been trying to move into a more spiritual financial model for the way I conduct my architectural business. Setting rates and invoicing people has always been my least favorite part. The real business has always been the exchange of ideas, goods, and services, not the exchange of money. So I’ve been trying to move more into a model in which my services are always available for those in need (to the degree I can help them with what I already have) and those who can afford to compensate me are expected to do so fairly. At the end of the day, this feels like a much better business philosophy to me, and as I have begun thinking about the finances in this way, it has made me more content about my work and the good it can accomplish.
I’d love to hear more as this insight develops for you. It is near and dear to my heart!
I am so inspired by this conversation. There is a lot in here I had never thought of in the context of giving, including Kate’s idea of “beind sold” on the value of what you have.
I have certainly noticed how the ideas I’ve been “sold on” in my life are the easiest to share, and it makes me think that perhaps hanging on to something for fear of loss must be a simple lack of understanding. When we get the value of something, when we truly understand it, we know how it works and how to get it when needed. We are no longer afraid of losing it because we can never lose something we truly know.
I look around my small apartment (which forces me not to store much that isn’t needed) and there is still so much stuff! When I think about what I don’t want to let go of, most of it is things I don’t yet understand. I may think they have a future worth that hasn’t yet become clear, or that they possess some memory somewhere inside their material structure… but honestly so much of it has no present worth. It literally means nothing right now. the meaning is in the ideas they represent, which will always be with me.
Though I was raised to donate things I didn’t need, I’ve always had a hard time giving away things that weren’t “extra”. I feel this conversation is challenging me to rethink, “re-e-valuate”, what is truly mine and what belongs somewhere else. What could “appreciate in the human economy”! If something is mine, if God made it as part of me, I can never lose it. What a great thoughts Kate. Thank you and all for sharing here, you’ve given me a lot to think about today :).
Hey Bobbie,
Once after I’d lost some weight that left me a few sizes smaller than most of my wardrobe, I gave the clothes away to people who could use them. I remember especially giving a brand-new tailor made suit to someone who was thrilled to get it. I’d only worn it once or twice and it looked lovely on her. I hadn’t gotten my money’s worth, but I couldn’t use it and it felt right.
The very next day, a neighbor gave me a 3 piece suit (one more piece than the one I gave away) that not only fit, but fit my changed sense of style. I wore that suit so so much. And when it wasn’t useful to me I passed it on to another friend who recently told me that she still wears the pants all the time.
This isn’t the only time something like that has happened to me. I think it’s proof of the law of God that says we can’t lose anything good. Also, I love how it shows that progress is a law of God.
I’ve not visited this site before, but it couldn’t be more timely than right now! My condo kitchen and dining area were very recently flooded with a broken water line from the condo above. Everything had to be removed from cabinets and drawers to make room for removal of flooring, appliances and cabinets. I was amazed at how much (good, useable, and really nice) stuff was stored beyond easy reach that hasn’t been used. It ocurred to me that I could try to find “some place” to hold a garage sale. Thanks to you all I’m now inspired to find “some one” and give it all away! Thanks a big bunch for lightening my load.
Go Bobbie go! :)
Yay Bobbie — then come back and tell us the story!
Once, while restoring an old house, I gave away every useful but way too modern thing on FreeCycle. Sinks, light fixtures, etc. I’ll never forget the woman who got the electric stove. Her adult daughter was disabled, but desperate to live on her own. That stove was the key — the one thing they hadn’t been able to afford. And a few days later I found a nice old gas stove on FreeCycle — perfect for the house.
II Corinthians 8:13-14 (The Message)
“This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even.”
Above Isobel asked: “I’d love to hear how it comes to people to live out the “honesty” part on an individual basis. I’m thinking about different ways I could define wealth and will be exploring this.” Her question was based on this quote: SH 239:7-10 “Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity.”
(I hope this is summarized correctly Isobel)…
So here we go…
In 2009 I returned to India on an masters fieldwork trip. I say “returned” because I was adopted from India in 1980 and grew up the US.
I honestly haven’t given much to people during my previous trips in regard to money. I simply haven’t had the money. I often give time, council and Love. However, one thing I have been able to do is meet needs when the time is right. I wrote a story for an amazing group of friends a couple years ago and thought I’d share it with you.
I had been given an assignment to carry about $20 with me in my wallet and give it to someone in need when the time was right. Here’s what happened after over one year of carrying around that money:
I’ve traveled to China, Egypt and now India. I always change the money into the appropriate currency to the country. So let me tell you about my Pamna…
I met Pamna in 2007 when I was in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. We instantly became friends. He often smiled at me and genuinely tried to navigate the language barrier. After humorous, awkward and endearing misunderstandings we were clearly ‘in tune’. In his one room home I shared a cup of chai with he and his family. I was home.
When I returned to Udaipur in 2009 I immediately looked him up. He greeted me with broken English – “I think of you always, my family is so blessed by you.” Oh no my friend, I thought, it is I who is blessed. I immediately asked him to bring me to his home so that I could see his family again. His one room home seemed even smaller to me. The children share one towel and each have one set of clothes. Pamna’s bills total almost 2,000 rupees per month. During this off-season makes an average of 400 rupees per month (~$8). Money, for Pamna, doesn’t matter if family is provided for. His children reflect and express what my purpose and name is, ‘in tune’. They are harmony, working in concert with some of the needs of life: Love, Principle and Truth.
Pamna invited me to his village one day. He and his two girls, Sahine (10) and Nosine (7) picked me up at 7am and we headed to his house. We picked up his wife, son Paroach (13) and his niece Jasmine (11) and after a cup of chai we were on our way to his father’s village. On the way to the village Pamna spent all the money he had left, to his name; on making sure I had a good day. My arguments were mute because hospitality and Love outweighed any consideration of money. He pointed up and said, “I trust”. As we headed back from the lake to his village he and his son sat in the front of the rickshaw. He explained in broken, shouted English, through the 117-degree air that his son would not have to drive his rickshaw for a living. He looked back at his family and couldn’t help but smile. Neither could I.
Later during that trip an emergency happened for Pamna and I gave him the $20.
However, after that trip I took cues from my education and experience and learned that sustainable giving can not be in the form of hand outs. I’ve found that sustainable giving comes in all forms of Love.
In India the greatest gift you can give someone is your time and physical presence. People will sit in comfortable silence for long periods at a time just being grateful to have company. In the west we often get uncomfortable after 1 minute of silence.
So in a very long winded answer to your question, I level honesty with wealth by simply finding that which I have and giving it. I’ve found that when I’m quiet and listen for direction and then follow, I’m constantly symbolically cashing in what I have and giving it to someone else.
My question to all of you is how will you do this type of giving, today? Tomorrow? Next year?
This is kind of a cheat, but I just got about 15 boxes out of storage (after almost 15 years!) and I’m going to have to give away a bunch of stuff to make room for it. But like Kate mentioned above, I’ll be giving away things I love and cherish (because I don’t own anything I don’t love–besides utilitarian things we all have to have).
I’m going to have to find someone/s who is setting up house!
Hi Betsy…sometimes it is those simple, clearly stated, and practical ways of exploring a concept that gives us so much to think about…and do. Thank you for sharing your insights…with Love, k.
I think of the level wealth with honesty relating to the fact that personal material wealth sometimes is the result of less than honest or principled behavior. So, how we act individually is to ensure we are being completely honest and ethical in every opportunity that comes to us. Paying fairly for value received, honestly paying taxes. This is not terribly original, yet it is important.
Hmmm….I love your question Isobel. I will take that challenge! To further plumb the meaning of (for me…in a practical, vital way) Mary Baker Eddy’s phrase “level wealth with honesty” from her statement: Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity.”
At first blush, I can share that, for me, this has always meant that when I say I can’t afford something, to give to a charity, to tithe, to share my time…that I am being honest. That may sound funny, but some years ago I realized that there was a difference between “I don’t feel like giving to that charity or serving at the homeless shelter,” and “I can’t….”
Often, my hesitation came from a space of inconvenience, or I’d rather spend my resources (money, time, attention) on me and mine, rather than “others” who might have a greater need.
I had to look myself in the mirror and ask…”really? Is this the truth? Do you have something (time, money, items of value, ideas) you can give, or do you just hoard yourself (either for yourself…or those you think you are responsible for, or deserve to be the recipients of your giving, because you are “in relationship” with them…family, friends, close neighbors, people I choose to socialize, work, or worship with.” This “mirror, mirror, on the wall voice is pretty smart…it seems to see right through all my self-congratulation.
And it’s been a real wake up call. There are days when I would MUCH prefer to cover that mirror, or avoid that room altogether.
So your question is very dear to me…and very demanding. How much further can I take it…why are you asking it NOW…why am I committing to living THIS radical act NOW? Hmmmm…I thought I had that one figured out. But obviously there is more to discover…a deeper place to plumb in my heart.
Okay, I’m on it….”level wealth with honesty…” Ask me again in a few weeks.
Here’s the song that calls me to that mirror when I want to walk on by…I hope you enjoy it’s message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps&feature=related
Kate – thanks for taking this challenge to a new level. I recently passed along two pieces of clothing with the tags still on. It was a new concept for me to give something that is not a second. why not give the best. I love how you (Kate) found a place that would value the ideas of the book, making the giving more like giving value or money to the poor, rather than just purging. Maybe the exercise in learning to reduce the material things in our lives, or reduce our attachment to material things can be helpful to us on our spiritual path, but being mindful about “the giving to the poor” part is clear in your story. I’ve worked with this before on a downsizing from house to townhome, “Love’s work must fit” from Hymn #51. We gave many things to many groups and were even able to return coat hangers to laundromats. This also met an environmental goal to be less wasteful.
Does this quote fit in here?
SH 239:7-10 Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity.
I’d love to hear how it comes to people to live out the “honesty” part on an individual basis. I’m thinking about different ways I could define wealth and will be exploring this.
Hi all…thank you for your sharing….this Radical Act has been quite a demand on me this week. I have thought about what I can “sell,” so that I can give to the poor. And I realized that it wasn’t enough to just sell the stuff that I don’t really care about anymore. But that I needed to sell those things that I still feel have value and worth…those things that I am really sold on…and be willing to share what comes of that “selling.”
Well…this was a whole new demand. I have a bunch of stuff that I am done with…it’s served its purpose in my life and it’s not much of a stretch (however sentimental my holding on to it may have been) to let it go. But what about the stuff in my home, and my heart, that I still love, still use, still find great value in. That’s a bit more difficult.
Then the word re-e-valuate came to mind. As I began thinking about it, I realized that I can bring a new, expanded sense of worth and value to what I love, by selling it or giving it to an organization that will benefit those who have a greater need for it than I do. It is a way of loving that item, or idea, MORE. And the more I love, or appreciate, it…the more it appreciates (grows in value) in the human economy.
An example for me this week was a children’s book that I absolutely love. I’ve read it many times…to students (when I was a school teacher), our children, as part of talks I’ve given….the message, however elementary, is deeply meaningful and spiritually rich with examples of selflessness and charity…and I’ve loved my “old worn copy” which is full of dog-ears, notes, and even cookie crumbs in the spine. It’s been a treasure I’ve cherished on my bookshelf.
But the other day, I realized that if I was so sold on its message, I could give it to the poor. So I boxed it up, along with some other favorite children’s books, and took it to a woman who runs a daycare in the city. I’ve loved her sense of charity…and have always thought that I would “give” when we had more to give. But then I realized that if I gave her those books, she could share the stories & ideas…rich with examples of kindness, charity, self-worth…with the children under her care and that this would give them added exposure and that those ideas would extend even farther into the community through their lives.
So this radical act is really stirring up my heart…and my home…
Can’t wait to see where else it takes me…
hugs, k.
Junior year of high school I traveled to Africa to work at the Petals School with a friend. We both grew attached to many of the children and came home inspired to do things in the United States that would benefit the students at this school.
My friend is a true inspiration. She is a talented seamstress and found that she wanted to create a sewing academy at the school so that they could repair their own uniforms and make their own clothing. Four years later she has inspired others to participate in sewing pajamas for the orphans, has donated old sewing machines to the school and has started her sewing academy.
This friend has not only done the following list of above, but has also yearly donated much of her salary to the students of this school. She is so amazing because she is a student and only works part time and still continues to recognize the school and give to them.
She is a powerful presence of good and is a true expression of Giving to the poor. She sells her talents in order to give to the poor.
Love the practicality of this challenge. I read a news article recently about a man who for several years has been trying to live completely money free. He owns nothing, buys nothing (not even food or clothing). Getting beyond the limitations of thinking that money is your salvation is a good thing, and I believe the man’s motive was good, but I don’t think he was really helping others or demonstrating a spiritual sense of “living more abundantly” which Jesus said he came to give us. Money is OK if we have a solid grounding in the truth that God is the source of good. Then, money can takes is right place as just a medium of exchange that represents gratitude for good received.
Thanks for broadening the discussion here about “sell what you have, give to the poor”. It is so logical to think that selling our possessions includes giving of our talents and abilities. I can see how that can meet another’s need. When you “sell” something there is an exchange and that exchange tags me back with what I need. This is a favorite quote that speaks to this exchange…II Cor. 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
More literally taken, I am trying to purge my life bit by bit. The easy-to-let go off stuff is gone. Now I have to undo some attachments. It’s a hard task but just last weekend I was able to give away a stack of great wool sweaters that I loved but hadn’t worn in years. I was needing more space and simply tired of moving them around in my life. The thought came, “you are not a hoarder” and I felt completely inspired and free to give that and 6 bags of other belongings to charity with joy that someone else might benefit.
Kate -
I can resonate with what you are saying. I have shared compassion and much faith in forgiveness, as well as a love for Love and healing. Being “sold on these things” has radiated and I become a store for all without even knowing it. I have found many people for years since middle school just come to me and ask me questions about faith and God and healing and my love for Love allows me to just continue radiating and I’ve found God, abundant supply, speaking through me with answers – feeding their hungry hearts, or to those you come to me looking for refuge and rejuvenation God warms their cold and tired feet and gives their heart rest and their poor spirit strength as the love I share wipes away their tears. Giving and receiving really is natural. I know I’ve held on to others that are a store for me to enter into that give me joy and faith in trust itself. I’ve been low in expecting good or feeling comfortable or joyous in a situation or place and I’ve been poor almost my whole life on trust. But God has given me His ideas in those around me and I’ve found the rich who are willing to give trust and joy – for it is true (and the circle to Life): “Freely receive, freely give.” When I was freely receiving all this joy and comfort one summer in a place I was helping to run yet was the only one new there and would have many people under me who had been with this group for years…I couldn’t help – I literally could not help for the abundance of joy and comfort I was receiving from others, but to freely give to everyone else and back to those who were giving to me.