GIVING

Our Lord Jesus spelled real human greatness when He said, "There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13). This is one measure of greatness, which is truly universal. It is a measure that goes beyond race, color of skin, culture, age, sex, wealth and what have you. Anyone can lay his life down for his friends. All it takes is that greater love one puts into it, a love which is greater than one's own self, a love which is capable of giving till "it hurts."

In any state of life, the crucial point is really one's ability to die to self, to lay down one's life so that one's friends, the person one loves, might have fuller and more meaningful lives.

Kahlil Gilbran, the famous philosopher, once said, "You give little when you give your possessions. It is when you give yourself, that you truly give." What does he mean?

S. Silverstein has a beautiful story about service which he entitles, "The Giving Tree." Read the story and share your thoughts --

THE GIVING TREE

by

S. Silverstein

Once there was a young boy who often played under a tree. He gathered its leaves and made them into crowns so he could pretend he was king of the forest. He would swing from the tree's branches and eat its apples, too. When he was tired, he would sleep under its shade. The tree loved the boy and they boy loved the tree. And the tree was happy.

The boy grew older, as boys do and the tree was often alone. One day, the boy came back. The tree smiled, "come swing from my branches, eat my apples, play in my shade, and be happy."

"I'm too big," said the boy. "I want to buy things and be happy. I need some money."

The tree replied, "take my apples and sell them in the city, then you will have money and be happy." So the boy gathered the apples and carried them away. And the tree was happy. And as boys do, the boy became a man. He returned to the tree.

The tree shook with joy. [It] pleased with the [man]. "Come swing from my branches."

"I'm too busy," replied the [man]. "I want a house to keep me and my loved ones warm. Can you give me a house?"

The tree replied, "you may cut my branches and build a house." And the tree was happy.

Many years passed and the [man], as boys do, became an old man. He returned and the tree was happy. It begged the [man] to play. "I'm too old and sad to play," said the [old man]. "I want a boat to take me very far from here."

"Cut down my trunk and make a boat and then you can sail away and be happy," said the tree.

After a time, the [old man] returned, as boys do. He had become a very old man. "I'm sorry, but I don't have anything left to give you," said the tree. "I am just an old stump."

"I don't need very much now," said the old man. "Just a quiet place to sit and rest."

"Well," said the tree, "an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come sit and rest."

The [old man] did and the tree was happy.