The Joy of Giving

When we give willingly, we receive abundantly. That is a universal law. When we clutch onto our possesions, we are not open to accept bountiful blessings.

I know many who share generously with others, and they never lack. I know others who hold onto to all they have, and they feel emptiness. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it," we read.

I have always tithed, even when living on minimum wage. As I have given to God, He has always been blessed me spiritually and temporally. I've been able to pay my bills when it appeared I could not. I know that God blesses those who love and honor Him.

Shortly after we were married, our Church leader asked my husband and I to give everything we had (which was our $500 savings) to a worthy cause. We did. God poured out blessings on us from that moment on, and we experienced the joy of giving all we had to the Lord. Although we've known financial struggles and good times, we've always been blessed.

I have several friends who live on meager incomes that still give generously to others. They are so happy! I have others who hold tightly to everything that have. They are miserable!

I give carefully. I will not give money to an alcohol to buy booze or to drug addict to buy drugs. I won't give money to an organization where much of the money is spent in administrative overhead. I like to give money to our local food bank, to Kiva, an organization that gives microloans which are repaid (to me), and to the Salvation Army. I like to give to our church's humanitarian projects, in which all the money goes to those who truly need it.

Anne Frank wrote, "No one has ever become poor by giving." I would add, by giving wisely.

What organizations do you like to support? How has giving blessed your life?




© Carol Brown