I'm confused. Chapter 29 seems to contradict itself by calling Baba both generous and someone who sends people away empty-handed. How can both be true?

You've pointed out a key aspect of Sai Baba's divine play as described in Chapter 29. The chapter presents his actions as 'incomprehensible wisdom.' He was indeed profoundly generous, and as verses 5 and 8 detail, he distributed money abundantly. However, his actions were not bound by human logic or expectation. Verses 13 and 14 directly address this apparent contradiction: 'Sometimes he sent them back empty-handed. This was Baba's constant manner - nothing was ever fixed... he did not give to everyone - no one knew his mind.' The text suggests that receiving his blessing was a matter of auspicious timing, a 'shell of fortune obtained by the fortunate,' not a transactional certainty.