Maimonides, a 12th century Jewish scholar, invented the following ladder of giving, with each rung representing a higher degree of virtue:
1. The lowest: Giving begrudgingly and making the recipient feel
disgraced, embarrassed, or “less than” in the process.
2. Giving cheerfully but giving too little or too late, relative to what’s
needed.
3. Giving cheerfully and adequately, but only after being asked.
4. Giving all that’s needed before being asked.
5. Giving when you do not know the identity of the individual who is
benefiting, but the recipient knows your identity.
6. Giving when you know the identity of the individual who is benefiting,
but the recipient does not knows your identity.
7. Giving when neither the donor nor the recipient is aware of the other’s
identity.
8. The Highest: Giving your energy, insights, support, time, your whole self
– whatever it takes to enable an individual to lift themselves up to
being fully self-reliant.
“Complete possession of something is proved only by the complete, selfless giving of it. All you are unable to freely give possesses you.”
— Andre Gide