Spirit Online
February 28, 2010
Quote
You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give. -Winston Churchill
Scripture
…give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6:38
Message
God is a God of abundance! He wants to pour out His abundance on you until you are so full that you are running over with God’s goodness. As the scripture above says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” Your giving sets the blessings of God into motion in your life. Giving is like a seed. It doesn’t just grown a single fruit. That one seed grows a tree that produces an abundance of fruit. And that is exactly what happens when you give from your heart, you receive a harvest of blessings in return! And when the blessings “run over,” you have so much that you want to give more, and the cycle continues! The more you give, the more you receive.
Giving is more than an act or an activity. It is a principle of life and a universal law. One of the most important things we can do to better our lives is to learn, understand and implement the power of giving. It is a vital part of our personal development, spiritual growth – a key to increased happiness, fulfillment and success that we all search for!
And YET, when we hear the word GIVE -- it can trigger fear -- giving when not fully understood can feel like we are losing something. And we can let our fear and misunderstanding stop us from engaging in and putting into practice one of the most important, powerful spiritual principles and practices.
How do we enjoy the gift of Giving? Let us first understand what giving is.
1. Giving is a law that we activate. Giving and receiving is like inhaling and exhaling and keeps things alive, flowing, moving, increasing. Giving activate the flow of good in our lives. That is why scripture says it is better to give than to receive as it opens and activates the flow of receiving. The Universe is all about energy and the flow of energy. Giving promotes this energy flow and places us in harmony with the powers of the Universe.
When we get scared we have a tendency to stop breathing. Fear shuts down and closes off. It blocks, restricts and limits the flow of love, kindness, warmth, and joy. Get out of the habit of thinking that you should receive something first before you give. That is not giving. That is an exchange. As we give the Universe, by law, finds the best way to give back to us in abundance, when it is most appropriate, in the most appropriate form.
2. Be a Cheerful Giver. God loves a cheerful giver. It is the energy behind the giving that matters so do not give grudgingly. Give freely and happily. Ask yourself: What is the energy with which I give? Ever been a fearful, reluctant or miserable giver? Ever feel guilted into giving? Whatever energy with which you give, that is what will come back to you in the most amazing of ways. Give with joy, love, gratitude, a good heart, kindness, faith, energy, and a positive attitude.
3. What is Your Expectation of Giving? Give without expecting anything in return. The violation of the law of giving comes when you start expecting to receive something back from the same being you give to, saying "Well, I did this for you so you should do that for me." In fact demanding a particular reward back is a violation. It makes you "trading" minded rather than "cheerful and free giving" minded. The reward you receive will come from a source and a time and in a form that the Universe finds best suited for you.
Giving for the sake of giving. Only then the flow begins. The intention has to be for the good of others, for the creation of happiness, harmony, peace and joy and give unconditionally. You do not have to pretend you are not interested in receiving more good through giving - it is about expectation and attachment. It is okay to think and know that when you give you will receive back from the Universe. Positive expectation that good will come forth and flow but not attached to a specific outcome from giving is key.
If you desire happiness, appreciation, support, love, respect, or prosperity simply give that to another. You can truly have what you desire just by helping others get what they want. Give first, give cheerfully, without attachment, expect only good, and there will be an increased flow of good in your life and you will be blessed by the gift of giving!
Prayer
Thank you God for the opportunity to be a cheerful giver! I do so knowing that as I give, so shall I receive and I do this with my whole heart, soul and very being. And so it is, Amen!
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