#3 Give to the poor

Help those in need.

"We get to carry each other, carry each other ... " - U2


We are told time and time again to give to those who are in need. It is easy to become engulfed in our day to day life and neglect this timeless, universal rule. We may feel we want to help, but never getting around to dedicating our resources to others. Helping the less fortunate is not a one time deal thing, however a constant desire to give back and always look for opportunities to help someone who needs it. Hey, you never know when one day you may at the end of the receiving stick. Wouldn't you wish someone sought out helping you?


Christianity
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs 11:24

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."- Luke 21:1-4

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Mathew 6:3-4

Buddhism
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.

Total willingness to give is the wish-granting gem for fulfilling the hopes of wandering beings.
It is the sharpest weapon to sever the knot of stinginess.
It leads to bodhisattva conduct that enhances self-confidence and courage,
And is the basis for universal proclamation of your fame and repute.
Realizing this, the wise rely, in a healthy manner, on the outstanding path
Of (being ever-willing) to offer completely their bodies, possessions, and positive potentials.
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
If you too would seek liberation,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way

Hinduism
The liberal man is he who gives to the beggar who wanders in search of food, lean and forlorn; the one who helps the passerby, when asked, makes of this same a friend for days to come.
Rig Veda, 10.117.3. VE, P. 850

Islam
If you give alms openly, it is well; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better.

Random
It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it. - Albert Einstein

No one has ever become poor by giving. - Anne Frank


Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege. - John D. Rockefeller Jr.

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. - Maya Angelou