I saw a billboard yesterday that displayed a quote from Leonard Nimoy (remember he was Mr. Spock on Star Trek). It said
"The more we share, the more we have."
Now, I don't know enough about Leonard Nimoy to know what he meant by it, but I'm confident the billboard company didn't have any spiritual or inspirational intent. I think their message was "the more information you share on our sign, the more business you will have!" :-)
But since we are talking about sharing, I want to tell you about a book I am reading entitled One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber.
She talks about discovering the power of generosity. Most of us have heard "it is more blessed to give than to receive" which is found in Acts 20:35. But as she has committed herself to a life of daily generosity, she has discovered that "the more we give, the more we receive. " She shares about a study of more than 3000 volunteers by Allan Luks of the Big Brother Big Sister organization that concluded... "there was a clear cause-and-effect relationship between helping and good health." Luks said, "Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health and it can diminish the effects of diseases and disorders both serious and minor, physical and mental." The volunteers testified to "feeling a rush of euphoria followed by a longer period of calm, reduced stress, and relief from pain. " Macomber says, "cultivating the habit of good deeds will not only affect those around us, but it will improve our own emotional well-being."
Luke 6:38 says:
"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure
you use it will be measured back to you." ESV
And The Message Bible says it this way:
"Give away your
life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back
with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity
begets generosity.”
So, yes, we may receive material blessings when we give, but more importantly, God promises the blessings of joy, peace, and health. And Macomber says, "God multiplies our giving. In His hands, each act of generosity we offer Him, no matter how small, becomes part of this miracle of multiplication."
If that doesn't encourage me to be a giver, I don't know what will!
And it's so simple! ;-)
Our sermon on Sunday was about how service goes hand in hand with our faith. Good news and good works cannot be separated. The pastor also said that the Hallmark of the Christian life is service.
ReplyDeleteI will have to read this one. I know through the years when we give generously it always comes back to us.
ReplyDeletei was raised on this good sermon and believe every word of it. sadly the majority these days do not know this simple life changing fact. thanks for the reminder
ReplyDeleteA beautiful reminder of a perfect Truth. And just think... Spock had a (albeit foggy) understanding of the concept! Here's to more giving from a heart that understands THE Giver. Thanks for giving this to us today. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
Amen, it is so true. You never believe it until you start doing it then it is so hard to contain it once it starts happening.
ReplyDeleteYou shared it in such a nice way.
it is so much better to give, a very rewarding feeling!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment about my doggie and fish n chips. Your grandkids are adorable.
ReplyDeleteI know that is true...that God multiplies our giving big time. Whether in time or in things...we never miss what we have given away when we are being the hands and feet of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI'm noting the title of the book. It's worth a read, I'm sure.
Sounds like a very interesting book. I do like Debbie Macomber as an author.
ReplyDelete