NO one is obligated to give something personal.
My question is, why is a recipe something so personal? I consider it a huge compliment if someone likes my recipe for something, and if they enjoy it that much, they will think of me, each time they cook it. I have no idea what you feel you might be losing.
Obligated?? no.

Go ahead, give it out. It ain’t nuttin but a thing. And in the end, what do you do with those things?
Think of it as a seed. A seed of a good deed.
A seed may grow into something. You know?
A flower , a tree, as I age even me.
A dream, a wish, maybe someday, dreams do you know?
But these seeds will shelter and nurture, and
who knows what else may these seeds may grow,
Anyway I don’t really care
I’m going to share
You can too if you like!

I **** it when people even enter the kitchen and I am cooking… It is something I do for them… and they need to take this opportunity to be respectful about how I manage one of the primary and most basic needs of life… respect for food. I would offer to make him a pie. I would not have any trouble saying no, tell them you might make a cookbook one day and don’t want to give out recipes, or just say you don’t want to, sorry but its for personal reasons and you just don’t feel comfortable. I would lie to someone about the reason… but I would make it an outrageous lie such as the Mahareesh of Timbuktu gave it to you and said if you handed it out then he would take the recipe back… Just don’t give it to them. Make them three and freeze them, but just don’t do it… it is a question of life and death… stand your ground! Be strong!
May the brothers and sisters of secret recipe preservation be with you…

That’s a tough one. But it is a personal decision for you to make. You’re never obligated to do anything, especially if this is personal and important to you. You can always make the family a pie for the holidays.

No, but why do you want to be so stingy?

Personally, I refuse to give out any of my treasured recipes… That is my personal choice. It is entirely up to you, if you do not want to give it out. Don’t! If they think it is rude, that is their perception… God bless****