"
"Blessed is he who also fasts that he may feed the poor, for it is more
blessed to give than to receive."
"Let thy alms sweat in thy hand until thou knowest to whom thou givest."
It is not probable that any one who reads these words will make the mistake
of assuming that Jesus advised us to inquire into the character or the
antecedents of the one on whom we are to bestow a gift. Neither are we
expected to ascertain whether he belongs to our "lodge" or not.
If you give alms as though to an inferior; if you assume a self-righteous
mind; if you give for hope of reward; then withhold your gift. In fact,
unless you can realize that you are giving as though to yourself, keep your
gift. It will do neither you nor the one receiving it, any good whatsoever.
"Good things must come. He is blessed through whom they come."
This presages the coming of the kingdom of love on earth, as a foregone
conclusion. Yet, those who lend themselves _consciously_, as _servants_ of
the cause--helpers in the establishment of the new order--are blessed.
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