GIVING IS THE KEY

I'm not sure what lead me to the classroom at Alabama that day and I don't remember the name of the guy.. I don't even remember the name of the club..... but, I do remember what he said:  "Right now, most of you take more than you give.  First, look for ways to help others... open a door, listen when people talk, go by the VA hospital and spend time there and call me if you run out of people to help.  Second, smile... smile so much that people ask why... and when they ask, tell them you just love helping people and tell them to come along.  Lastly, I promise you ... that you will get more out of giving to others than you can find anywhere else.  There will be those who don't like you because you help , remember... you control your happiness, not them." 

God is love... and love is giving....we were built in his image.  He has given all of us unique abilities and blessed us with opportunities to help others.  We are designed to flourish and grow as we help others.   This has nothing to do with giving money, this is about how we live our lives.  There are plenty of miserable people, rich and poor.... they take and don't give... they are without any joy in life on the inside... no matter what front they may have on the outside.

Let's get real on this topic...cause anyone really committed knows that helping others is a great feeling, but the genuine effort to help others leaves us vulnerable from the ridicule, anger, greed and jealousy of the very people we help.   Wait a minute!!!  Giving was supposed to make me happy!   How many times have we said.."What's the point in trying to help?"  These experiences range from trying to resolve family issues, the person who you helped get a job tests positive for drugs, a family you take groceries to and they steal your wallet from your car... the list is endless...... however, the few tears and hugs from truly appreciative people is more than worth it.
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Jesus , as usual, is the best example.. he was sent to take nothing, but give all... and even though he was killed for his giving...... now every person saved... the entire Heavens rejoice.  Almost no-one understood this 2,000 years ago and very few people understand the Giving part of life now.  It is not the way people think or how our society operates at all... in fact, it is close to opposite to give freely.  When we are giving..... people see God in our actions.  That brings more people to want the same peace, joy and spirit we show.  Nowhere is it written that Giving was easy or without suffering to give part of yourself to others.  When a person is saved with us involved....Heaven rejoices for them and for us.  So, keep Giving your effort and time... your smile and know the rewards are more than we can imagine.

2 Corinthians 7-9
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;  their righteousness endures forever.”
 
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
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