Apr
We Prosper by Giving
Properly understood, giving is a powerful force.
Many years ago, I heard of a local factory worker who won a $10,000 raffle. He gave it all away to some charity. I couldn’t understand why any rational person would give away $10,000?! I thought he was nuts!
However, he had his reasons and, whatever they were, they were worth more to him than the money. As I grew in my career, I could see how giving was an important element in building a business, offering more-than-expected service, respect for the customer, integrity and professionalism, etc.
Characteristics like honesty, loyalty, love, respect, gratitude, appreciation, etc. cannot be depleted. In fact, the more you give of these intangibles, the more they multiply. My motivation in writing articles is to share my experiences and expertise with others who may benefit from them. Every time I write one, however, I learn something myself and I am the first beneficiary of my efforts.
But MONEY? How can giving away anything physically tangible, do anything other than deplete the supply? How can I benefit (prosper) by depleting what I have? To me, it didn’t make sense.
Then two things happened:
1) My wife and I lost everything we had to Hurricane Katrina. All our physical possessions were destroyed. A lot of people demonstrated their care, love and compassion, and showed it in tangible ways by giving food, clothing, transportation, shelter and money to fill this sudden void in our lives. Through their expression of sharing their intangible love and caring, their lives could only be manifested in more harmonious and prosperous life experiences. It is the Law!
2) My growing, practical realization and understanding that we do not live in a finite world where everything is limited and subject to depletion. What appears as physically tangible elements are, in truth, the effects of an infinite cause within each one of us. Being INFINITE. This cause cannot be depleted. Being ALL, it is the substance of all reality and cannot do anything but BE infinite. It can know no opposite or challenge to its infinity. It cannot, tolerate a void or vacuum. The more we understand this to be our true identity and make it the underlying principle motivating our sharing, we are free to draw on this infinite, all inclusive supply any time without depleting it. The result is that we will enjoy an increasing sense of success, prosperity, freedom and more harmonious life experiences in our finite world. It is the Law!
What’s your take? Is it better to give than receive? I’d love to hear examples of how you have given and prospered as a result.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”. Luke 6:37-39
“Freely ye have received, freely give” Matthew 10: 8
