It’s easy to write a check when
you got a lot of cash in the bank.
It’s not difficult to volunteer
when you got all the time in the world on your hands.
It’s no problem to help that old lady across the street
when you are already going that way.
It’s no trouble at all to lend your sander
when you got two more under your worktable.
It’s not that hard to love
when who you love, wants your love.
It’s child’s play to give someone a lift
when you’re going that way, anyway.
It’s second nature to give when
you know you’ll get something back.
It’s easy to throw a few coins in the dish
when you just got paid.
It’s easy as pie to donate the clothes
you no longer wear or fit into.
It’s no sweat to love thy neighbors when
your neighbors are “your sort” of people.
It’s a cinch to donate food to the poor
when you got a lot in your own cupboard.
It’s easy peasy to help someone when
they look just like you.
It’s NOT that easy to give
when you got little, are pressed
when the givee is not like you.
These are the real tests of giving.
All the rest is only practice.
“True charity occurs only when there are no notions of giving, giver, or gift.”
— Buddha