A Stepladder Goes Up!

A Stepladder Goes Up!

Martha Meister Kiely

"If I give away all I have...but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Cor. 13:3

Moses ben Maimon, a rabbi who lived in North Africa over eight hundred years ago, taught the lesson of stewardship by describing what he called the golden ladder of charity. According to him, there are eight steps on this ladder, and the spirit of our giving determines which step we are on. Let's examine his ladder.

We find on the first step are those who give only with their hands, not their hearts. They find no pleasure in charity.

On the second step are those who give cheerfully, but too little.

The third step is reserved for those who give joyously, and enough, with out being asked, and yet who do not need the pleasure of watching the poor receive.

Four steps up are those who give without being asked, but who insist upon putting the gift in the beggar's hand.

On the fifth step are those who give joyously, and enough, without being asked, and yet who do not need the pleasure of watching the poor receive.

On the sixth step are those who are eager to give all that they can, but who do not what the receiver to know whence it came.

On the seventh step are those who have acquired the habit of giving that they are willing to pool their gifts with others, not needing to know who receives or exactly how it is administered.

The highest step is reserved for those who anticipate a need even before it occurs and give to prevent suffering or to help others help themselves.

Today set out to climb as high as you can on the ladder of gold.

SCRIPTURE "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4)

PRAY Giver of every good and perfect gift, enroll me in thy school of giving, that I may share as easily and as generously and as wisely as thou doest. Amen.

Devotions for Women at Home by Martha Meister Kiely, Abington Press, Page 75 ISBN #0-687-10679-6