Visions of Giving: Puzzles

Click here to learn more about the Widows Mite

American teachings about giving often come in the form of easy certainties. “Do this.” “Don’t ever do that.” Your hosts, however, have become more interested in the enduring puzzles that sometimes persist from one generation to another. We think these perplexities are worth pondering.

So here are thirteen clusters of questions. Each cluster is linked to a particular “Place to Begin” and to some pertinent “Resources.”

Look at several. Concentrate on one or two. Then reflect on what you find deeply puzzling about the art of giving. Maybe you will add a puzzle to this collection.

	1.	Do the familiar "rules" of giving have any claim upon us?
	Why is tithing so popular as an image of the "good" giver? But what is my "fair share?" "Give all you can?" How much is "all?" Is there a rule of giving that fits most circumstances?

	2.	What do we see in the future coming toward us? And how does that image shape our giving?
	Now is the time? What would be a sign of true progress in giving?

	3.	How do we understand the struggles over giving within us? Any escape from money anxiety?
	Is money "virtuous?" So what is the root of our problem? Materialism? Greed? Etc.? The "glow of benevolence" - a temptation for good givers? Giving - a "private" affair?