A Give Or An Ask?

I first heard this expression in a book called Ted Talks by the leader of the organization who started and runs the org that puts on these talks.  You are probably familiar with at least a few of them.  Can you imagine all there is to learn from hearing EVERY Ted Talk?

Although it’s been a while since reading / listening to it, as I recall this is part of the criteria used to choose the ones who actually are selected to present a talk. Is the person approaching the opportunity with a gift or asking to receive one? Seems so shrewd as to be utterly obvious, though I guess that’s the elegance of its subtlety.  Will the presentation be an expression of generosity or a way to get something from the crowd, both in person and online?

It stung a bit as the thought settled in on me. Is this the way I’m approaching life?  If true in large part, where am I still falling short, oblivious to my own self centricity?

Generosity of heart and spirit is key to artistic expression. Giving of yourself.   (See The Artist and the Fundamentalist, a recent post, for more on this)

Flagrant generosity is at once recognizable. If done in the right spirit, it encourages the same in those who observe it.  In the wrong spirit, it can transmit shame on its observers.

The Prodigal Story is a ringing example of generosity. (The below from the PHILLIPS NT Translation - link here to broader story)

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still some distance off, his father saw him and his heart went out to him, and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. But his son said, ‘Father, I have done wrong in the sight of Heaven and in your eyes. I don’t deserve to be called your son any more ....’ ‘Hurry!’ called out his father to the servants, ‘fetch the best clothes and put them on him! Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet, and get that calf we’ve fattened and kill it, and we will have a feast and a celebration! For this is my son—I thought he was dead, and he’s alive again. I thought I had lost him, and he’s found!’ And they began to get the festivities going.

Forgive me, Lord, for coming up short. Tho Your generosity is matchless, still help me to approach it as You do. Help me to know how that is, and to cooperate with You, collaborate with You, in your flagrant generosity.