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If you are a Christian, you want to give as much as you can away. It sounds pious, but it's not a duty; it's a kind of joy.

In the Catholic tradition, the idea of giving something up on a Friday - the act of self denial - has always been tied with being generous to those in need.

How much easier is it to be generous than just.

St. Paul did not want the sufferings encountered by being a Christian to discourage or dishearten anyone. He realized that when the Christian saw the blessings and grace that poured upon him after his trials, he would gain courage to suffer in his turn.

But Paul, in his preaching of the Gospel, is a debtor to deliver the word not to Barbarians only, but also to Greeks, and not only to the unwise, who would easily agree with him, but also to the wise.

Be just before you are generous.

I know that those of us who go into church work are to regard ourselves as servants, are to offer our lives as a gift.

It certainly is the duty of every true Christian, to esteem himself a stranger and pilgrim in this world; and as bound to use earthly blessings, not as means of satisfying lust or gratifying wantonness, but of supplying his absolute wants and necessities.

Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.