The happiness which is the result of alms giving is merely a foretaste of our eternal reward. A noble man’s son was one day strolling with his tutor, and they came to the edge of a forest. Just beyond the forest was an adjoining meadow, where a laborer was working in his bare feet. The young boy was quick to observe that the man had left his boots on the verge of the wood. His mischievous mind rapidly came up with the uncharitable idea of a practical joke - hide the boots and see what the man’s reaction would be. His tutor, however, reproved him and taught him instead a lesson he would not forget.

“Do not cause the poor man worry and annoyance; rather, give him a pleasure. If you were to take my advice, you would put a piece of silver into each of his boots. We can then look on from a distance, and see what he does when he puts them on.”

Being a decent fellow at heart, the boy did as his tutor suggested.

It was not much later, that the man left his work and came up to the woods to put on his boots. Feeling something inside them, he pulled them off again, and looked to see what it was. When he saw the money, the man fell on his knees and raised his eyes to Heaven, and gave thanks to God for having helped him in his extreme need. Deeply grateful for this unexpected aid, the poor laborer called down blessings and happiness on his unknown benefactor.

The boy, who was near enough to hear what the man said, was so touched by what he saw and heard - that he wept for joy.

On his way home, the young nobleman told his tutor that he had never felt so happy in all his life.

See then how mercy and charity reap benefits for the giver even more so at times than the receiver? Surely God heard the grateful laborer’s prayer for his benefactor - and rewarded the young lad for his generosity. How much more so then, will God answer the prayers of the Poor Souls in Purgatory - who are always in the most dire need of our help? These holy and often abandoned souls are infinitely more grateful to us for our charitable prayers than anyone in this life ever could be to a generous benefactor.

If you have not already, please look and see my Crusade for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Joining us in praying for the Poor Souls is an excellent and eternally rewarding way to practice real charity.