Sowing Generosity - Reaping Abundant ‘Common’ Wealth
The concept that “what we freely give, returns to us tenfold” is a theme that runs through the teachings of various prophets and philosophers across cultures and eras. While the exact phrasing may differ, the underlying principle of reciprocal generosity, karma, or the “law of return” appears in many philosophical, religious, and ethical frameworks.
Ancient Philosophers and Ethical Thinkers
- Socrates (469–399 BCE): While Socrates did not explicitly state the “tenfold return” concept, he emphasized the idea of justice as reciprocal fairness. Through his dialogues, he implied that acts of goodness contribute to the well-being of the whole, which inevitably circles back to benefit the giver.
- Aristotle (384–322 BCE): In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle emphasized the concept of eudaimonia (human flourishing) through virtuous action. Generosity (or liberality) was seen as one of the key virtues, as it established reciprocal bonds of goodwill within a community.
- Cicero (106–43 BCE): The Roman philosopher Cicero promoted the virtue of generosity and argued that those who give without expectation of return often receive far more than they have given. His work De Officiis outlines the obligations of justice and beneficence, where acts of giving strengthen societal bonds and ultimately benefit the giver.
Religious Prophets and Visionaries
- Jesus of Nazareth (1st century CE): One of the most famous teachings on giving is found in Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
This teaching highlights a principle of divine reciprocity, suggesting that generosity is met with abundance.
- Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE): The Qur’an echoes similar sentiments. In Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261, it says:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] that sprouts seven ears; in every ear, there are one hundred seeds.”
This passage suggests a return of 700 times the initial act of giving, linking generosity with divine reward.
- The Buddha (563–483 BCE): The Buddha taught the principle of dāna (generosity) as the foundation for a virtuous life. The law of karma, fundamental to Buddhist philosophy, asserts that actions produce ripples of consequence. Selfless generosity produces positive karmic fruits, often experienced as abundance or blessings in this life or the next.
Indigenous Wisdom and Oral Traditions
- Native American Teachings: Many Indigenous communities believe in a “circle of giving”. For example, the concept of the Potlatch (a ceremonial gift-giving feast) among Indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest embodies the idea that wealth increases when shared. Gifts are given with the expectation that abundance will return in time, often through communal recognition and reciprocal support.
- African Ubuntu Philosophy: Ubuntu means “I am because we are.” In this worldview, acts of generosity toward the community enhance the giver’s own well-being. Ubuntu emphasizes interconnectedness and suggests that communal well-being, generated through giving, ultimately returns to the individual.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778): Rousseau’s ideas on The Social Contract emphasized the mutual benefits of selfless giving for the collective good. While not explicit about “tenfold returns,” Rousseau argued that individuals give up certain freedoms to participate in a society where collective welfare ensures individual welfare.
- Adam Smith (1723–1790): While often seen as the father of modern capitalism, Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments underscores the “invisible hand” of human empathy and generosity. He argued that acts of kindness produce emotional returns in the form of inner satisfaction and social honor.
- Immanuel Kant (1724–1804): Although Kant’s categorical imperative focuses on moral duty, one interpretation is that acts of generosity are ethical because, if universalized, they would result in a world of mutual reciprocity and abundance.
- Alasdair MacIntyre (b.1929): MacIntyre’s focus on virtue ethics highlights the importance of communal well-being and the development of practices that produce shared goods. Acts of generosity, within the framework of community living, are seen as essential to human flourishing. The concept of “giving and receiving” is fundamental to the functioning of ethical communities.
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968): In his advocacy for nonviolence and love as a transformative force, King echoed the idea that selfless action brings about justice, healing, and communal abundance. His view of agape love is an extension of the “give and it shall be given” concept.
- Gandhi (1869–1948): Gandhi’s principle of ahimsa (nonviolence) extended to acts of compassion and generosity. He argued that selfless action (karma yoga) purifies the heart, creating both internal peace and external abundance.
- Karl Marx (1818–1883): While Marx criticized capitalist accumulation, his concept of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” echoes the idea that shared wealth returns in the form of communal abundance. In a society where resources are shared according to need, everyone benefits.
- Peter Kropotkin (1842–1921): In Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution, Kropotkin argues that cooperation and generosity are evolutionary advantages. By giving to others, individuals ensure their own survival through reciprocal social bonds.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882): Emerson’s essay “Compensation” directly addresses the idea of reciprocal returns. He writes: “The good man gives to others and the good is returned to him, often in ways he never expects.” Emerson describes a natural law of compensation, whereby every act of generosity is met with unseen and often greater returns.
- Napoleon Hill (1883–1970): In Think and Grow Rich, Hill popularized the idea that “what you give, you receive.” While framed in terms of financial success, Hill emphasized that wealth and abundance come through contribution, service, and generosity.
- Rhonda Byrne (2006): The Secret popularized the “law of attraction”, where thoughts and actions of giving attract greater abundance. While controversial, it draws on ancient and modern interpretations of karmic return.
The concept that “what we freely give, returns to us tenfold” appears across religious, philosophical, and ethical frameworks. It is rooted in principles of karma (Buddhism, Hinduism), agape love (Christianity), the social contract (Rousseau), and reciprocal altruism (evolutionary theory). While each thinker frames the idea in different ways, the overarching message is that generosity fosters abundance.
