Wisdom from the Major World Relgions

On the theme of: SERVICE

Baha’i

"Man's merit lieth in service & virtue & not in the pageantry of wealth & riches."
Baha'u'llah

"No deed of man is greater before God than helping the poor."
Abdu'l-Baha

Buddhism

If beings knew, as I know, the fruit of sharing gifts, they would not enjoy their use without sharing them, nor would the taint of stinginess obsess the heart and stay there. Even if it were their last bit, their last morsel of food, they would not enjoy its use without sharing it, if there were anyone to receive it.
Itivuttaka 18

The Buddha said, "When you see someone practicing the Way of giving, aid him joyously, and you will obtain vast and great blessings." A shramana asked: "Is there an end to those blessings?" The Buddha said, "Consider the flame of a single lamp. Though a hundred thousand people come and light their own lamps from it so that they can cook their food and ward off the darkness, the first lamp remains the same as before. Blessings are like this, too."
Sutra of Forty-two Sections 10

Christianity

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6.2

Give, and it will be given to you... for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
Luke 6.38

It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20.35

Confucianism

The man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.
Analects 6.28.2

Hinduism

He who gives liberally goes straight to the gods;
on the high ridge of heaven he stands exalted.
Rig Veda 1.125.5

Giving simply because it is right to give, without thought of return, at a proper time, in proper circumstances, and to a worthy person, is enlightened giving. Giving with regrets or in the expectation of receiving some favor or of getting something in return, is selfish giving.
Bhagavad Gita 17.20-21

Islam

The best of men are those who are useful to others.
Hadith of Bukhari

You will not attain piety until you expend of what you love; and whatever thing you expend, God knows of it.
Qur'an 3.92

Jainism

Rendering help to another is the function of all human beings.
Tattvarthasutra 5.21

Judaism

All men are responsible for one another.
Talmud, Sanhedrin 27b

He who prays for his fellowman, while he himself has the same need, will be answered first.
Talmud, Baba Kamma 92a

Native African

“Do me a favor during the rainy season, and I shall do the same for you during the dry season”
African Proverb

Native American

Sharing and giving are the ways of God.
Sauk

New Thought

Life is ever giving of Itself. We must receive, utilize and extend the gift. Success and prosperity are spiritual attributes belonging to all people.
Ernest Holmes

Sikhism

Without selfless service are no objectives fulfilled; In service lies the purest action.
Adi Granth, Maru, M.1, p. 992

One who serves and seeks no recompense Finds union with the Lord. Such a servant alone takes the Master's guidance, says Nanak, As on him is divine grace.
Adi Granth, Sukhmani 18, M.5, pp. 286f.

Taoism

Sages do not accumulate
The more they assist others, the more they possess
The more they give to others, the more they gain
Tao Te Ching, 81

Zoroastrianism

“Doing good to others is not a duty, it is a joy, for it increases our own health and happiness.”
 Zoroaster