“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
Most of us want to be successful, well off and live the good life. Do you ever consider that the way to accomplish this might not be grabbing all you can, but by giving your way there? Have you ever considered that the way up the ladder of life might be going outward instead of upward? This seems foreign to us and absolutely contrary to everything we are taught in society. After all, we are taught that we if we do not look out for ourselves and grab all we can, who will do it for us?
Even Jesus mentioned much about giving during his earthly ministry. “Give and it shall be given to you.” This is a lifestyle that many of us shy away from. If we are honest in the deepest part of our beings, we have to admit that when it comes to giving we are often afraid. What will happen to us if we let our resources go?
Prime Minister Golda Meir once said “you can’t shake hands with a clinched fist.” When we have a clenched fist approach to life, by holding on tightly to our money, time and possessions, we become the losers. The very thing we desire escapes us. When we have generous spirits, I believe generosity has a way of finding us as well. “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
For most of us, the art of giving is something we have to work at cultivating. A good starting place is to start where you are and with the resources you have. The good news is that giving does not always have to be monetary. In fact, some of the best gifts in life do not have a price tag attached to them! How could you make a difference at your work place, in your neighborhood? Can you make a dish, write a note? What about writing a note to your postman or garbage collector? Can you volunteer at a homeless shelter or the Salvation Army or nursing home? What about getting your kids involved? Can you give up a couple of lattes a month and save money to fund a project your family wants to get involved in. Let your kids or family members pick out a cause. Check out http://www.kiva.org for some great projects to get behind!
The truth is some of the most joyful and content people in our world today are givers. We have seen what society offers- bankruptcy, divorce, suicide etc. Obviously, there is a better way. Open up your hands and your hearts to refresh someone else and watch your life take on a new dimension of blessing!
Janet G. Daughtry – Janet Daughtry is a speaker, author and life coach. For over 25 years, Janet has been involved with women and women