and is not puffed up

To be puffed up is to be boastful, exaggerate one’s own abilities, to show-off or to one-up others. It is uncomfortable to be around those who are puffed up in this way. But more often than not, these behaviors stem from feelings of insecurity or inadequacy. Sometimes a realization of the underlying insecurities can elicit a measure of compassion when dealing with that type of individual. Another way being puffed up is manifest is in an attitude of “I am too good for that.” For example, a college professor not willing to lower himself to teaching a Sunday school class, thinking his expertise shouldn’t be wasted on children. Or a Julliard-trained musician unwilling to lend her support to a choir of amateurs, rationalizing, “I’m a professional musician and should be spending my efforts on projects for which I will be paid appropriately.” These attitudes have no place in a charitable heart. A charitable person sees value in contributing whatever he can, whenever and wherever he can, grateful for the chance to share his skills. A charitable person doesn’t value himself above another because of his skills or experience, but realizes those things are his to be a support to others. Neither will a charitable person diminish himself. More on that next time.