At what point does generousity become foolishness?

[SeaOfTranquility]

As some of you may know, I consider myself to be a pretty caring and generous person, despite my often severe financial hardships, so I am asking all of you: At what point do you feel being generous can turn into foolishness?

Of course it goes without saying that giving away your last piece of bread or last dollar is very foolish, but what about giving away your next to last dollar for instance?

[Spiritraiser]

Dear Sea;
I believe there can be no limit to what one gives - as there can be no limit to what one receives. I am sorry you have times of financial hardship, but from the standpoint not only of metaphysical energy, but also christian beliefs (as I was raised christian) believing you will have lack only leads to creating lack. What you put your attention on is what you will receive. I know it's hard, but even in times of financial struggle instead of thinking about how you're going to come up with the money to pay your bills - focus on seeing the money coming into your life and you are cheerfully paying your bills.
Isn't the point of having a spiritual or religious belief based of faith - to have faith? The doubts and uncertainties we feel arise from our own thoughts, and when we give into those negative thoughts we attract negative situations. Whatever your belief is - God or energy source - if you don't have faith that it's a good thing designed to create good things for you - why believe in it?
My personal answer would be - the more you give (in a joyful way) the more you get.
My thoughts are of love, peace and abundance for you in all aspects of your life,
Spiritraiser

[James]

Originally Posted by SeaOfTranquility

As some of you may know, I consider myself to be a pretty caring and generous person, despite my often severe financial hardships, so I am asking all of you: At what point do you feel being generous can turn into foolishness?

Of course it goes without saying that giving away your last piece of bread or last dollar is very foolish, but what about giving away your next to last dollar for instance?

Hi SeaofTranquility,
I share from my own life,
There are many times in my life that I cannot give monetarily and there are other times that family priorities must be considered before I desire to give. Since these reasons seem to be the norm for me, I have found that volunteering my time where I feeled drawn to is a great way to ensure that I can always give and in a special way.
As a caring, giving person myself, I don't think giving is ever foolish from the heart. You know when its right but with that being said, no matter how much money you had, you would probably always opt to give to that needy stranger you met before you would go out and buy a nicer car. Thats how I am and thats why I don't wish to come into money. Sure, it would allow me to give more but because of the way I feel, it would certainly cause problems since as I said before, being a family man, my decisions are family made.
So I am a case that proves Spiritraisers comments true.
I don't want to be excessively wealthy and therefore I am not.
"Be careful what you wish for"
Peace,
James

[theinfiniteone]

Listen to your heart....it is the still voice of the creator...whether it is the first piece of bread from a fresh loaf..or the last piece ___ listen to your heart.

[SeaOfTranquility]

Thank you all for the replies and support, and I will take all of it into my mind!

The point that was brought up about giving more than just material goods is very true, especially for when I don't have the money to help people in other ways. There are many different ways to help out after all, and I just have to see which ones I can use

[AnnaMae]

I'll tell you an incident from my own life. I was going to church one night and I had very little left of my paycheck after paying bills. I knew what I had would have to last me for the week for gas and food. I can't remember what I had but I think it was $10, which then would have taken care of both. I had a conversation going on in my head, one wanting me to give it all for an offering to God and one wanting me to keep it. I know it was not me that was having this conversation because it would not stop and I tried. So finally, I said, OK this is going to stop, I am giving everything I have as an offering. I went to church (we do not pay our pastor so it all went to the church to heat, electric, etc) and gave everything I had for an offering. The negative voice stopped and I didn't have any more trouble. I took my lunch with me on Monday to work and I was blessed with an unexpected travel pay check which MORE than tripled what I had given. I feel I was being tested and that test I think I passed.

[Shadrack]

I don't believe generosity is ever foolish. You will be rewarded generously whether in the spirit or physically, you will be rewarded. Generosity is the best way to show love of God and will always be a practice I will continue.

[stillone]

Right now my finances are in shambles, but I can always scrape up a few dollars to help a person/cause I am passionate about. We had a Relay for Life in my town last night. I have a friend with cancer. Just being there to support him and donating a small amount was enough. My heart is there for him and he knows he can count on me. That is all that matters.

[Shadrack]

Generosity does not always mean money. Time sometimes is more valuable than money. Caring is more valuable than money also. Sometimes, someone just needs some caring and compassion and it is worth much more than any amount of money.