"This is the Book of Generosity which hath been revealed by the King of Eternity. Whoso adorneth himself with this virtue hath distinguished himself and will be blessed by the All-Merciful from His exalted Kingdom of Glory." – Baha’u’llah, The Right of God, p. 4
The definition of generosity continues to expand in reading more and more of the Baha'i Teachings. Stories reveal how generosity was modeled by `Abdu'l-Baha, the son of the Prophet founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah. He it was, who expounded for mankind what it means to be generous and how it must be practiced. It looks totally different to the ordinary definition that we know and accept in society. It stretches the boundaries we place around it to contain it and thereby justify its restriction. When one is happy, joyful and basking in the abundance of life it is easy to share what we have. What deserves our attention at these times is the suffering that persists around us. Do our minds ponder those who may not be enjoying the sweetness of life? Often we shrink from such thoughts and overt examples around us and seek the comfort of our neat and tidy sphere of influence which, more often than not, reflects our own existence. We know that the prevalent conversations swirling around in our world point to the inequities between countries and within countries. It seems futile to think in such vast terms and wonder what is a person to do to help. The stories of `Abdu'l-Baha demonstrate a Life that had as its very focus the well-being of others. Indeed His name literally means "servant of Baha". This was a Name He chose for himself. Yet He had this spiritual quality in spades from a very young age, giving away His Father's sheep to shepherds in His Father's employ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden in Haifa and Akka, Israel. Being a prisoner, He was not a man of material means but His spiritual wealth poured forth unbounded. Despite His lack of material wealth He gave what he could and often that looked like cleaning a sick person's home, giving coins to the poor and gentle words of love and encouragement. When what He offered was rejected on account of its poor quality, He put it aside for the scornful person until a later time when the wisdom of their refusal changed their minds and hearts. These stories extend the widening embrace of generosity. They give us an expanded vision of what it is to serve in our communities and how it may be done. As the African (Tswana) proverb states, "Through others, I am somebody".