Stinginess

thumb|When they are told, Give to others out of what God has provided for you, those who are bent on denying the truth say to the believers, Why should we feed those whom God could feed if He wanted? ~ Qur'an Stinginess is a lack of generosity. Quotes "But whom do I treat unjustly," you say, "by keeping what is my own?" Tell me, what is your own? What did you bring into this life? From where did you receive it? It is as if someone were to take the first seat in the theater, then bar everyone else from attending, so that one person alone enjoys what is offered for the benefit of all in common — this is what the rich do. They seize common goods before others have the opportunity, then claim them as their own by right of preemption. For if we all took only what was necessary to satisfy our own needs, giving the rest to those who lack, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, and no one would be in need. Basil of Caesarea, Homily 6, “I Shall Tear Down My Barns,” C. P. Schroeder, trans., in Saint Basil on Social Justice (2009), p. 69 When they are told, Give to others out of what God has provided for you, those who are bent on denying the truth say to the believers, "Why should we feed those whom God could feed if He wanted?" You are clearly in error! Qur'an 36:47, as translated by Wahiduddin Khan See also Frugality Greed Selfishness External links Category:Vices Category:Themes