Whenever the Buddha delivered a discourse to an audience of people who had not yet accepted him as their teacher, he would start by emphasizing the value of giving. Only after the audience had come to appreciate this virtue would he introduce other aspects of his teachings.
Giving serves as a way to eliminate one's greed and ill will. By giving away what is valuable to you, you reduce attachment by letting them go.
In this context, you could say the only possession of value to me is my small blue blanket. I've had it for years and it is beginning to fray at the sides. There are even one or two small holes in it. Still it keeps me warm on cold nights. Would I be willing to give it away if a less fortunate cat needs it? But if I give it away, who's going to buy me a new blanket? The temple can't afford to buy me one, I would have to depend on the generosity of the devotees. I suppose I could make do with any old piece of cloth but it wouldn't be the same. I've shared so many dreams and nightmares with my "Blue", I shall miss it like anything. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!
(See how the mind works, it's like a mad monkey, it will do its utmost to confuse you, to frighten you, to let you cling on to what you think is yours, so never let it get its way.)
Buddhists believe that what is given is not lost, it is actually returned to the giver as karmic rewards.
So give even if you have a little.
With Metta,
Da
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