Show All » 2010/04 » The Power of Giving
Wednesday, April 21, 2010The Power of Giving
What would you do if you have this view in front of you?
I am writing my blog in this awesome beach because I was invited to be the guest speaker of our high school. What a treat, right? Well, it would have been a real treat if it was an all expense paid trip but it wasn't. It was an all expense trip!
When I said yes to this invitation, I knew that I am going to be here to give and nothing else. I knew I was going to pay for my airline ticket, I was going to pay for my food during the whole trip and I am going to bring my own pocket money.
You cannot blame me if I say, "Before I came to this place I was clouded with fear and worries."
I was worried because who is going to take care of my two boys while mom and dad are away. I feared that one or more of my clients may need my assistance while I'm away. I was anxious about my work after my vacation and I was concerned about my expenses during our trip and so on.
These things are enough to spoil my trip, right?
But I could not understand myself as to why am I so worry free and relaxed while writing this blog?
Is it the beach? Is it the food that I ate or I'm just too crazy not to worry...
Whatever it is that I'm feeling, there is only one source of this wonderful experience – that is the grace of God. Nothing else.
How can anyone enjoy God's gifts when your mind is clouded with things to worry about? How can you calm yourself when you know that a big wave of things to worry is right in front of you?
Giving, especially when you know that you're not going to get anything back was never easy for me. When I give, I made sure that I could get something back. That was how I understood things.
As an investor, when you invest on something you expect a return on investment. It's the same concept.
However, in our spiritual lives, the concept of giving is totally different - you give and expect nothing in return. God takes care of the returns not you. Many are scared to try this concept because the returns are not tangible.
In Malachi 3:10, God challenged the Israelites to test him on giving tithes. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."
In The Ultimate Gift, Red Stevens explains, "Conventional wisdom would say that the less you give, the more you have. The converse is true. The more you give, the more you have. Abundance creates the ability to give; giving creates abundance. This principle is true in every area of your life."
Earlier in my life, I had very few acts of goodness when I practiced the act of giving. That's because true giving is completely selfless. I was selfish.
True giving comes with no strings attached. Focusing on the needs of another while leaving your own goals and desires behind. For me, this was not easy or cheap.
As part of my speech during the graduation ceremony, I told the graduates that one of the secrets to be successful in life is to give back and share your success to others.
Just to give them an idea, I told them how much I spent on airline ticket, the food expense, and the gifts that we have to bring and so on. It's not about bragging how much I spent during my trip but I was bragging to them how much I'm willing to spend to be there with them so I can give back something to my beloved alumni.
To go there to be able to give back in my own little way by giving them an inspiring speech which combines personal empowerment and spiritual involvement in the community and assuring each and every one of them that there is something out there for them. Something really big!
Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. "
Giving reminds us of how blessed we are and how easily we can make a real impact on those around us.
Once you experience the gift of giving by helping someone around you with your talents, your resources or with something as beneficial as your time, you will be forever grateful to yourself that you have learned to do it. A lot of people are scared to share whatever they have because they thought they are in the losing end. Pleeease!
Scripture says, "But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed." (1 Timothy 6:6-7, 17-19)
Giving is a simple, easy gesture that can make a world of difference.
It's the giving part that produces grace. Giving even when it hurts, and yet you feel as if it costs you nothing.
By the way, a big thank you for my auntie Fely who made us feel at home during our stay in the Agua Seda Beach Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
God is the greatest!
Go back to top to Post or View Comments
