“When a person in in special need of God’s love, God sends them an opportunity to show love and give to another.” (Rebbe Nachman of Breslov)
Our days are filled with countless opportunities to give to others. We only need to open our eyes to appreciate how many ways we can exhibit generosity with people in our orbits and beyond.
Rav Dessler points out in his writings that kindness and giving is a catalyst for love. The more you give to others – the more you love them. This explains the unparalleled love that parents have for their children.
The Baal Shem Tov explains the verse in Psalms 121:5 “God is your shadow…” to mean that His interactions with us are based upon our actions. Just as our shadow moves in relationship to our movements, if we are generous with others, Hashem will be generous with us. If we love others, we will feel His love towards us.
2 Responses
When I was a child, I lived with my young single mother who worked very hard and would not accept charity. A righteous friend of hers once said to her, “When you won’t accept a gift, you are depriving someone of the act of giving.” It taught her and I that you can also show love by accepting what another person gives, especially at the expense of one’s own pride.
Indeed. This dynamic works both ways. We can give to others when we allow ourselves to receive from them, as you point out. And the giver is also receiving through their act of kindness. The giver doesn’t lose by giving of them self – they gain immensely.