Dear Thomas,

Americans are some of the greatest writers in the world, and when we relate our education to the American dream , we find a great deal of hope and substance. 'The substance of things to come' 'The substance of things hoped for'.

Giving is a very hasty word in peoples minds because, it is easy to admit but difficult to return. As one American writer put it. ' Giving does not impoverish you in the service of God'

You can't give what you don't have, but we all have something to give. A GOOD WORD, A SONG, A PRAYER, A COIN  ,ETC. God has made it possible for all men and women , big or small, rich or poor, black or white, old or young, to be a legend on his own merits. No one can take that from you.  The Point of appreciation comes when we know that what we have received, be it small or big, in words or thoughts, is as good as those big givers whom the world appreciates more.

As a child we were brought up to receive, did we ever show appreciation to our parents? No, in most cases. As teens , we keep on asking more and more from our parents. Still very little appreciation.  We always expect them to give. When we are adults, its our turn to do as our parents did for us. But how many children want to give time to their parents? Give time to reciprocate the Love they gave us all our lives?

Giving also can become evil, if wrong motives are tied to it. Reading through the press , we saw cases were the Saudi Arabian Government offered assistance to families under their regular Humanitarian support. These ended up in Terrorist hands.

Give righteously , honorably and with self devotion and discipline. Expect nothing back in reward. Such giving is acceptable to God.

Pierre Louma