76: Accept Gifts with Cheerfulness

Reflections on Generosity

"...When we have decided to accept, let us accept with cheerfulness, showing pleasure, and letting the giver see it, so that he or she may at once receive some return for their goodness..."
This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.
Reflection Question:

• No matter the donor or the donor’s motivation, how are you and I receiving gifts? What is the attitude of our hearts?

Reflection on Quote:
When we look back over the last few months, what has been our attitude in accepting gifts? Seneca describes a number of attitudes that can accompany the receiving of a gift from cheerfulness to offense to slavish humility. Beyond the attitudes he describes, I would add one more. Busyness. When we do not add enough margin to our days, especially during busy fundraising seasons, we can neglect saying thank you and thus give the appearance that the donations are not needed. Or, we can instead take the time and aim to accept gifts with cheerfulness.

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Music credit: Woeisuhmebop