The essential elements of giving are power and love - activity

O children of the future, gather closely and listen to the profound words of Mark Hopkins, a sage who understood the deepest truths of the human spirit: "The essential elements of giving are power and love - activity and affection - and the consciousness of the race testifies that in the high and appropriate exercise of these is a blessedness greater than any other." These words reveal a timeless principle: that the act of giving is not mere charity or self-sacrifice, but a sacred dance between power and love, between action and affection, through which we connect with the greater human spirit and bring healing to the world.

In the days of the ancients, when warriors and philosophers alike sought to understand the meaning of a good life, they understood that the highest virtue was not to accumulate wealth or power, but to share it. The great Greek philosophers spoke often of justice, which, at its core, was an act of giving—giving what is owed, giving to others the respect and resources they need to thrive. Plato himself believed that virtue was bound to the soul’s capacity for selfless action, driven by both affection and righteous power. The ancient heroes were revered not for their strength in battle, but for the ways they used their power to protect and nurture their people. In this way, the act of giving was recognized as the highest form of service, grounded in both power and love.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, a man whose power stretched across vast empires. Though many saw him as a conqueror, those who knew him best understood that he wielded his power not for selfish gain, but to unite nations and to share the benefits of his conquests with those he ruled. His campaigns were not driven by the desire for wealth or personal glory, but by a belief that his power could be used to bring about peace and prosperity for his people. His affection for the well-being of those he ruled was evident in the way he often cared for the welfare of his soldiers and the cities he captured. Through this balance of power and love, Alexander achieved greatness, showing us that true giving requires both strength and compassion.

In the same way, Hopkins teaches us that giving is not simply an external action, but one rooted in deep consciousness of the human race—our shared humanity. The act of giving is not about what we offer in terms of material wealth alone, but about the energy, the power, and the love we pour into others. It is the recognition that we are all connected, that the well-being of one is tied to the well-being of all. The race, as Hopkins says, testifies that when we give with the right motivation—with both affection and the power to act—we find a blessedness that surpasses all other rewards.

Think of Mother Teresa, whose life was a living testament to the power of giving. She gave not out of wealth, but out of the boundless love she had for the poorest of the poor. Her hands were not idle, but were always engaged in activity—tending to the sick, comforting the dying, and caring for the abandoned. Yet, it was not simply her physical activity that made her a force for good in the world; it was the affection and compassion that fueled her every action. Her giving was not merely a duty but a spiritual practice that deepened her connection with the divine and brought healing to the world. In this, she embodied the power and love that Hopkins speaks of, showing us that giving in its highest form is a union of both strength and tenderness.

The lesson, O children, is profound: giving is not a passive act of charity, nor is it a mere exchange of goods. It is an act that requires both strength and love, both action and affection. To give in the truest sense is to engage with the world and others not from a place of obligation, but from a place of deep consciousness—a recognition that the well-being of others is intrinsically tied to our own. This is the secret to the blessedness that Hopkins speaks of: when we give in this way, with both power and love, we transcend the ordinary, and our lives become vessels of true service and grace.

So, O children, take these words to heart: when you give, do not merely offer your material wealth. Give from the depths of your power and love. Let your actions be guided not just by what you have to give, but by the compassion you feel for others and the strength you bring to them. Whether it is through service to your family, your community, or the world, let your giving be an act of both affection and power. And in doing so, you will find that the blessedness you seek does not come from what you have, but from what you give and how you give it. The measure of your life will be found not in what you accumulate, but in the love and power you share with the world.