For it is in giving that we receive.
~ Saint Francis of Assisi
Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts
Friday, January 29, 2010
The gift of giving
Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single.
At the day's end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit.
Then one day the single brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit. I'm alone and my needs are simple."
So each night he took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field between their houses, dumping it into his brother's bin.
At the day's end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit.
Then one day the single brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit. I'm alone and my needs are simple."
So each night he took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field between their houses, dumping it into his brother's bin.
Meanwhile, the married brother said to himself, "Its not right that we should share the produce and the profit equally. After all, I'm married and I have my wife and my children to look after me in years to come. My brother has no one, and no one to take care of his future."
So each nite, he took a sack of grain and dumped it into his single brother's bin.
Both men were puzzled for years because their supply of grain never dwindled.
Then one dark nite the two brothers bumped into each other. Slowly it dawned on them what was happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one another.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The benefits of helping the poor
While praying for the safety and recovery of the Haiti people and sending money for their relief from the recent devastating earthquake, I’ve pondered the question, “Why do I need to pray for their well being and help their cause? What does it matter?”
I thought of Jesus’ admonitions to help the poor, and also studied Mary Baker Eddy’s thought-provoking statement, “If we turn away from the poor, we are not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses the poor.”
What is “…the reward of Him who blesses the poor?” I've asked.
“The poor” is a relative term. Defined strictly by material standards, it refers to a lack of money, things, and worldly possessions.
I’ve known many people classified as poor over the years, especially in the farming industry where much of the labor force lives hand to mouth. But I've also witnessed firsthand how these same people live immensely rich lives. They can be very rich in faith and trust. They also can have very tight families which are rich in love.
I’ve seen millionaires who have far less faith and trust in God’s ability to provide than a homeless man wandering the streets. A homeless man can lose all his worldly possessions and not think much about it. He knows life goes on, and he’ll find what he needs. A billionaire can lose several billion dollars, have a billion left over, but feel so devastated by his perceived loss of wealth, that he commits suicide. So, who is the rich man? Who is truly the blessed? Is it the vast stock holder who frets and worries and agonizes over his worldly possessions day after day, or the homeless stranger who enjoys each moment and rarely worries about tomorrow?
For those who have material wealth, there is great gain in appreciating, valuing and honoring the faith, trust and patience the less materially fortunate possess. This faith and trust is some of the blessings God has bestowed upon them that gives them the ability to keep on going, not give up and retain hope that things will get better.
When we have a heart for these people, we make room in our lives to gain more of the same faith, trust and patience they already possess. The money sent their way is more than made up for by the example of endurance, patience and faith they send back for us to learn from and implement in our own lives. This is a "reward" worth having and it is the product of selfless giving.
I thought of Jesus’ admonitions to help the poor, and also studied Mary Baker Eddy’s thought-provoking statement, “If we turn away from the poor, we are not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses the poor.”
What is “…the reward of Him who blesses the poor?” I've asked.
“The poor” is a relative term. Defined strictly by material standards, it refers to a lack of money, things, and worldly possessions.
I’ve known many people classified as poor over the years, especially in the farming industry where much of the labor force lives hand to mouth. But I've also witnessed firsthand how these same people live immensely rich lives. They can be very rich in faith and trust. They also can have very tight families which are rich in love.
I’ve seen millionaires who have far less faith and trust in God’s ability to provide than a homeless man wandering the streets. A homeless man can lose all his worldly possessions and not think much about it. He knows life goes on, and he’ll find what he needs. A billionaire can lose several billion dollars, have a billion left over, but feel so devastated by his perceived loss of wealth, that he commits suicide. So, who is the rich man? Who is truly the blessed? Is it the vast stock holder who frets and worries and agonizes over his worldly possessions day after day, or the homeless stranger who enjoys each moment and rarely worries about tomorrow?
For those who have material wealth, there is great gain in appreciating, valuing and honoring the faith, trust and patience the less materially fortunate possess. This faith and trust is some of the blessings God has bestowed upon them that gives them the ability to keep on going, not give up and retain hope that things will get better.
When we have a heart for these people, we make room in our lives to gain more of the same faith, trust and patience they already possess. The money sent their way is more than made up for by the example of endurance, patience and faith they send back for us to learn from and implement in our own lives. This is a "reward" worth having and it is the product of selfless giving.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Building for others
THE BRIDGE BUILDER
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-
That sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when he reached the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength in building here.
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
~ WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE
Jesus Christ was the ultimate bridge builder...and we've all benefited since.
What bridges are you building today that others can walk over tomorrow?
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-
That sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when he reached the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength in building here.
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way.You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
~ WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE
Jesus Christ was the ultimate bridge builder...and we've all benefited since.
What bridges are you building today that others can walk over tomorrow?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Who are you helping today?
I have this cute paperweight that was given to me as a gift with a picture of one little girl pushing another up a steep slope. The quote on the side reads,
It's a useful reminder that we never suffer to help another out in need. Our generous giving and sharing benefits us too and takes us to a higher place.
It's a useful reminder that we never suffer to help another out in need. Our generous giving and sharing benefits us too and takes us to a higher place.
"When you help someone up a hill, you get that much closer yourself." ~ Anonymous
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Are you giving?
“We think we are not happy because of what we are not getting.
But really, we are unhappy because of what we are not giving!”
~ Marianne Williamson
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Lots to get or to give?
The question of the day to answer for me was…
Do you see yourself as a person who has lots to give, or lots to get?
Yesterday, my daughter wanted to do a bit of shopping here in St. Moritz, where we’re staying for two days. So I agreed to go with her for a couple of hours.
Honestly, shopping can be one of the most exhausting activities on earth. I do it once in a while because I need clothes to wear and other odds and ends, and I don’t mind looking for fun on occasion. But I frequently last about 20 minutes and my enthusiasm meter starts sinking quickly. My wife really dislikes shopping, which is a good thing by the way! It sure helps keep the bills down.
Anyway, getting sidetracked…as we were walking down the street, and mostly window shopping, I asked myself why shopping often leaves me feeling depleted if I do it for very long.
Then it hit me, “Shopping is about getting stuff. It’s not about giving. It’s about getting.” And when you think you need to “get something,” you obviously believe you lack something, and you unwittingly start to manifest the belief of lack in other ways than just what doesn't sit on your shelf at home.
I started to reason my query through spiritually.
Life is Love, as we learn in Christian Science. Life is experienced at its best when we are engaged in some activity of Love.
Love is about giving, sharing, caring, and participating in the beneficence of God’s grace upon one and all, and these kinds of mental engagements uplift thought, inspire attitude, and give wholesome meaning and purpose to life. They keep us healthy too.
As I pondered my question, I realized that if we begin our day with, “I need something,” we’re reasoning out from a premise of lack. And I’m not talking just about getting things. It could be getting attention, getting famous, getting known, getting money, getting someone to do something our way, getting revenge, getting angry, and all of their kin. An attitude that believes it needs to get something believes it lacks something. And this is not a cool way to live. It’s can be downright miserable, honestly.
I realize there are millions of people in the world who have yet to receive the basics for human survival, like food and shelter. I’m not talking about those kinds of needs. That’s a whole different subject to address.
But back to my question…”Do I see myself as someone who has lots to give, or as someone with lots to get?”
As I walked around the lake at St. Moritz this morning with my son and wrestled with the implications of answering this question aright, I easily concluded that “I have lots to give!” And I truly do. Why? Not because I possess a lot of good myself. I don't. I don't possess any good. I reflect it as God's image. And God is infinite. As God's image, I have lots to give...in fact an infinite amount of goodness and love to give.
I’m still learning it, but two decades ago when I entered the full-time practice of Christian Science, I came to terms with the truth that God is my Source, my Supplier, and my Sustainer. The world could not offer me anything that was better and more enriching than what came directly to me from divine Love, I decided. Life is not about getting. That is the self-centered mortal way of vainly seeking what comes only from Spirit. Life is about giving.
In giving we receive, and in true unselfish giving we receive mightily and abundantly. It’s just the way the law of Love works. Give and you shall receive, as Jesus taught and demonstrated.
This was a very productive day in the spiritual course of things, and I'm grateful for it. I like the idea of consciously knowing, “I have lots to give!” It’s very freeing. I encourage you to give it a try, if you haven’t already!
Do you see yourself as a person who has lots to give, or lots to get?
Yesterday, my daughter wanted to do a bit of shopping here in St. Moritz, where we’re staying for two days. So I agreed to go with her for a couple of hours.
Honestly, shopping can be one of the most exhausting activities on earth. I do it once in a while because I need clothes to wear and other odds and ends, and I don’t mind looking for fun on occasion. But I frequently last about 20 minutes and my enthusiasm meter starts sinking quickly. My wife really dislikes shopping, which is a good thing by the way! It sure helps keep the bills down.
Anyway, getting sidetracked…as we were walking down the street, and mostly window shopping, I asked myself why shopping often leaves me feeling depleted if I do it for very long.
Then it hit me, “Shopping is about getting stuff. It’s not about giving. It’s about getting.” And when you think you need to “get something,” you obviously believe you lack something, and you unwittingly start to manifest the belief of lack in other ways than just what doesn't sit on your shelf at home.
I started to reason my query through spiritually.
Life is Love, as we learn in Christian Science. Life is experienced at its best when we are engaged in some activity of Love.
Love is about giving, sharing, caring, and participating in the beneficence of God’s grace upon one and all, and these kinds of mental engagements uplift thought, inspire attitude, and give wholesome meaning and purpose to life. They keep us healthy too.
As I pondered my question, I realized that if we begin our day with, “I need something,” we’re reasoning out from a premise of lack. And I’m not talking just about getting things. It could be getting attention, getting famous, getting known, getting money, getting someone to do something our way, getting revenge, getting angry, and all of their kin. An attitude that believes it needs to get something believes it lacks something. And this is not a cool way to live. It’s can be downright miserable, honestly.
I realize there are millions of people in the world who have yet to receive the basics for human survival, like food and shelter. I’m not talking about those kinds of needs. That’s a whole different subject to address.
But back to my question…”Do I see myself as someone who has lots to give, or as someone with lots to get?”
As I walked around the lake at St. Moritz this morning with my son and wrestled with the implications of answering this question aright, I easily concluded that “I have lots to give!” And I truly do. Why? Not because I possess a lot of good myself. I don't. I don't possess any good. I reflect it as God's image. And God is infinite. As God's image, I have lots to give...in fact an infinite amount of goodness and love to give.
I’m still learning it, but two decades ago when I entered the full-time practice of Christian Science, I came to terms with the truth that God is my Source, my Supplier, and my Sustainer. The world could not offer me anything that was better and more enriching than what came directly to me from divine Love, I decided. Life is not about getting. That is the self-centered mortal way of vainly seeking what comes only from Spirit. Life is about giving.
In giving we receive, and in true unselfish giving we receive mightily and abundantly. It’s just the way the law of Love works. Give and you shall receive, as Jesus taught and demonstrated.
This was a very productive day in the spiritual course of things, and I'm grateful for it. I like the idea of consciously knowing, “I have lots to give!” It’s very freeing. I encourage you to give it a try, if you haven’t already!
Lake with St. Moritz in the background
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Giving time
Wondering what to give this Christmas?
Here’s a thought-provoking blog post by Nipun Mehta, which is no one I know, on the benefits of giving your time over spending your money for gifts that have meaning.
Here’s a thought-provoking blog post by Nipun Mehta, which is no one I know, on the benefits of giving your time over spending your money for gifts that have meaning.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
How unselflish are you willing to be?
The below picture came through my inbox today and I couldn't help but chuckle.
I don't know which creature asserted their position first. Whether the cat curled up in the dog basket and the dog decided to let the cat take her rest, or whether the dog decided first to take the smaller basket and let kitty see what a bigger bed would feel like?
I like the dog's attitude. Evidently, he has decided to make the best of the situation, let kitty rest peacefully, and be grateful for the perch still available to him.
I think of times in life when we may feel put upon, believing someone else has deprived us of something we figure is rightfully ours. But we learn through spiritual growth and increased humility that the most important position we ever occupy is not a place in the world, but a mental place at-one with divine Love, where we know we're loved and cared for by God through eternal spiritual ways and means no matter what comes and goes on the human scene.
Knowing our all-in-all resides in Spirit, we can live like Jesus Christ who gave everything he had humanly in order to help his neighbor. This is the ultimate unselfishness, but also the ultimate freedom, which leads away from sense to Soul.
I don't know which creature asserted their position first. Whether the cat curled up in the dog basket and the dog decided to let the cat take her rest, or whether the dog decided first to take the smaller basket and let kitty see what a bigger bed would feel like?
I like the dog's attitude. Evidently, he has decided to make the best of the situation, let kitty rest peacefully, and be grateful for the perch still available to him.
I think of times in life when we may feel put upon, believing someone else has deprived us of something we figure is rightfully ours. But we learn through spiritual growth and increased humility that the most important position we ever occupy is not a place in the world, but a mental place at-one with divine Love, where we know we're loved and cared for by God through eternal spiritual ways and means no matter what comes and goes on the human scene.
Knowing our all-in-all resides in Spirit, we can live like Jesus Christ who gave everything he had humanly in order to help his neighbor. This is the ultimate unselfishness, but also the ultimate freedom, which leads away from sense to Soul.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Heaven and hell
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand."
It is simple," said the Lord. "It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand."
It is simple," said the Lord. "It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."
What makes a life?
“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”
~ Arthur Ashe
Monday, January 15, 2007
Helping others because it matters
What drives people to volunteer at the local food bank or homeless shelter? What inspires people to collect thousands of items and prepare care packages to send to troops in the Mid-East? What gives mothers and fathers the courage to bring an orphan into their home and raise them as their own? What motivates strangers to unselfishly rescue their neighbor in times of distress?
A letter to the Editor of Time magazine in the January 15, 2007 issue I believe eloquently answers these questions in simple words.
Commenting on Time magazine's Person of the Year being “You,” Galen Panger of Stanford, CA, wrote
“People will help one another if they believe it matters…”
Whoa…this really resonated with me, hitting a deep chord.
Yes, I want to help people when I believe my help will matter, I agreed.
Is that a factor that drives you?
Has there ever been a time in your life when someone needed help and you raced to their aid because you knew your support would make a positive difference?
On the contrary, though, has there been a time that someone needed help but you weren’t sure you should be charitable? You hesitated, maybe even walked away?
Perhaps you feared being rebuked for extending a helping hand? Or having them turn on you like an angry dog ready to bite? Maybe you were concerned about your generosity being taken advantage of and the benefit of any help given lost? Or perhaps you didn’t know why you didn’t jump to help and shrugged your shoulders in apathy toward their want?
Millions of knowledgeable Web users are downloading programs and information free of charge onto the Web making it easier for other Internet users to utilize the Internet’s resources and grow in understanding. I’ve used these free resources myself, and have been grateful for them.
Why do they give freely? Often for future profits they hope to reap, but many, because they want to help others who can benefit from their contribution.
It just occurred to me that I started writing this blog because I hoped to help my readers gain a little more spiritual light in their life. I expected nothing in particular in return, and wasn't sure what to expect, except the joy that comes from knowing a burden may have been lifted somewhere, a load made lighter and a chuckle or peace settle into thought that might not otherwise be there.
Everytime I get an encouraging email or comment that someone's day was a bit brighter from something they read on this page, I am inspired to keep on writing. Why? Because I know my efforts made a difference.
I believe the same motivation inspires millions of other bloggers likewise.
I bet the same rule applies to your efforts to reach out and help too!
We give when we know our giving matters. A nice "thought for the day" to contemplate…
It also underscores the need to let other people know that when they give, it really did matter. Our gratitude encourages them to keep up their efforts so the world will continue to receive their blessing.
Sooo..., happy giving!
A letter to the Editor of Time magazine in the January 15, 2007 issue I believe eloquently answers these questions in simple words.
Commenting on Time magazine's Person of the Year being “You,” Galen Panger of Stanford, CA, wrote
“…Your story said Web 2.0 is ‘a tool for bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter’ and about people ‘helping one another for nothing.’ I just want to emphasize this point. People will help one another if they believe it matters…”
“People will help one another if they believe it matters…”
Whoa…this really resonated with me, hitting a deep chord.
Yes, I want to help people when I believe my help will matter, I agreed.
Is that a factor that drives you?
Has there ever been a time in your life when someone needed help and you raced to their aid because you knew your support would make a positive difference?
On the contrary, though, has there been a time that someone needed help but you weren’t sure you should be charitable? You hesitated, maybe even walked away?
Perhaps you feared being rebuked for extending a helping hand? Or having them turn on you like an angry dog ready to bite? Maybe you were concerned about your generosity being taken advantage of and the benefit of any help given lost? Or perhaps you didn’t know why you didn’t jump to help and shrugged your shoulders in apathy toward their want?
Millions of knowledgeable Web users are downloading programs and information free of charge onto the Web making it easier for other Internet users to utilize the Internet’s resources and grow in understanding. I’ve used these free resources myself, and have been grateful for them.
Why do they give freely? Often for future profits they hope to reap, but many, because they want to help others who can benefit from their contribution.
It just occurred to me that I started writing this blog because I hoped to help my readers gain a little more spiritual light in their life. I expected nothing in particular in return, and wasn't sure what to expect, except the joy that comes from knowing a burden may have been lifted somewhere, a load made lighter and a chuckle or peace settle into thought that might not otherwise be there.
Everytime I get an encouraging email or comment that someone's day was a bit brighter from something they read on this page, I am inspired to keep on writing. Why? Because I know my efforts made a difference.
I believe the same motivation inspires millions of other bloggers likewise.
I bet the same rule applies to your efforts to reach out and help too!
We give when we know our giving matters. A nice "thought for the day" to contemplate…
It also underscores the need to let other people know that when they give, it really did matter. Our gratitude encourages them to keep up their efforts so the world will continue to receive their blessing.
Sooo..., happy giving!
The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good.
~ Mary Baker Eddy
Friday, January 12, 2007
Share generously
“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”~ George Bernard Shaw
When we see our supply in life as X number of material things or dollars, we are afraid to share for fear of losing some of our substance. But when we realize our true substance is spiritual--ideas coming from God--we are not afraid to share for we know we lose nothing in the giving, plus we have blessed another with our riches. In essence, our supply of "apples" is endless.
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Gracious giving and receiving
I'm not sure where I picked this up, but I like it...
Blessed are those who can give without remembering
And take without forgetting.
