Tag: giving

Giving

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JESUS SPEAKING

     “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20: 35)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    The word ‘blessed’ most commonly translates into the English word for ‘happiness.’  Those who live a ‘blessed’ life regularly experience joy, peace, and contentment, despite the presence of any challenging circumstances.  Such a pleasant existence can only be achieved and maintained through daily acts of sacrificial service.  Still many human beings are resoundingly selfish.  In an endeavor to acquire as many possessions as possible, some have become isolated, discouraged and depressed. They remain unaware that genuine happiness doesn’t come from selfish gratification; but instead, is the product of selfless giving.

     Michael Norton, a Harvard business professor sought to discover a link between overall happiness and daily giving.  He conducted an experiment in which a small amount of money was given to a group of test subjects.  Half of the participants were instructed to spend the money on themselves; the other half were told to spend the money on someone else.  When researchers contacted the subjects at the end of the day, they found that those who had spent the money on someone else reported feeling much happier than those who had selfishly squandered their allotted funds.  [Note:  In another study, Norton found that sales team productivity and relationship quality increased as salespeople were given money to spend on other team members.]

     Professor Norton had discovered that, although selfish gain seems appealing, it also lacks the power to bring about lasting joy.  Genuine peace and contentment are the result of selflessness and sacrifice.  By serving and giving we can demonstrate the generosity and love of Jesus Christ. May we never forget that happiness doesn’t originate from what we might receive, but rather, from what we are willing to give.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, continue to shower us with Your many blessings.  As we love and serve our fellows, may we be filled with Your unending joy and peace.  May our selfish desires come to an end; that through us, countless wandering souls might come to glorify Your Holy Name.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!

Generosity

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6: 37 – 38)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Our relationship with God and our fellows is intimately intertwined. In fact, the blessings we receive from the Lord are dependent upon our treatment of others. If we display generosity, freely and liberally giving to those in need, then we will receive even more abundant blessings from the Lord. Our baskets will burst and our cups will overflow, as we experience the fullness of God’s mercies.

As the story goes, when Charlie Page was a young man he was broke, penniless and jobless. One day he stopped on the street to listen to the salvation army service. When the tambourine was passed to him for collection, he told the girl holding it that he would like to give something, but he had nothing; not even enough money to eat a meal. She gave him a dollar and told him, “Take this: put ten cents in the offering, and hereafter give a tenth of all you earn to God. Keep this up all your life and you’ll never be penniless again.” He followed her directions. After getting a job he began giving regularly. With every act of generosity his wealth grew, until he was giving away far more than a tenth. He became a lifelong philanthropist; building hospitals and helping to carry on the work of the Lord.

Like Charlie, all Christians today are called to be generous with their possessions; giving to those in need whenever possible. Whoever is willing to step out in faith and bless others will himself receive the blessings of God. Be generous and charitable and your charity will return to you in abundance. God remains faithful to all those who are faithful.

“Lord Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with compassion and generosity. May we choose to help those in need, and to treat others with dignity and respect. As we give, may we receive, that we may give all the more. Through our acts of charity, may others observe Your compassion, Your goodness, and Your generosity. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Giving

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

     “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20: 35)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    The word ‘blessed’ most commonly translates into the English word for ‘happiness.’  Those who live a ‘blessed’ life regularly experience joy, peace, and contentment, despite the presence of any challenging circumstances.  Such a pleasant existence can only be achieved and maintained through daily acts of sacrificial service.  And yet, most human beings are resoundingly selfish.  In an endeavor to acquire as many possessions as possible, some have become isolated, discouraged and depressed. They remain unaware that genuine happiness doesn’t come from selfish gratification; but instead, is the product of selfless giving.

     Michael Norton, a Harvard business professor sought to discover a link between overall happiness and daily giving.  He conducted an experiment in which a small amount of money was given to a group of test subjects.  Half of the participants were instructed to spend the money on themselves; the other half were told to spend the money on someone else.  When researchers contacted the subjects at the end of the day, they found that those who had spent the money on someone else reported feeling much happier than those who had selfishly squandered their allotted funds.  [Note:  In another study, Norton found that sales team productivity and relationship quality increased as salespeople were given money to spend on other team members.]

     Professor Norton had discovered that, although selfish gain seems appealing, it also lacks the power bring about lasting joy.  Genuine peace and contentment are the result of selflessness and sacrifice.  By serving and giving we can demonstrate the generosity and love of Jesus Christ. May we never forget that happiness doesn’t originate from what we might receive, but rather, from what we are willing to give.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, continue to shower us with Your many blessings.  As we love and serve our fellows, may we be filled with Your unending joy and peace.  May our selfish desires come to an end; that through us, countless wandering souls might come to glorify Your Holy Name.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!