Proportion thy charity to the strength of thine estate…
“Proportion thy charity to the strength of thine estate, lest God proportion thine estate to the weakness of thy charity. Let the lips of the poor be the trumpet of thy gift, lest in seeking applause, thou lose thy reward. Nothing is more pleasing to God than an open hand and a closed mouth.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Balancing generosity with means; give wisely, avoid seeking praise; true generosity is quiet and sincere.
In simple terms: Give wisely, avoid showing off.
Give proportionally, stay humble.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- charitable giving
- public speaking
- personal budgeting
- volunteer work
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you help without expecting thanks?
- What does a “closed mouth” mean in giving?
Excessive display can breed resentment or insincerity.