“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16 NLT Altruism is defined as giving without expecting anything in return. When I think about the best Christmas I’ve ever had, it was when I decided to skip the mundane annual Christmas rituals (cooking copious amounts of food that last until the new year or wasting money on expensive presents) and volunteer to serve meals to the homeless. We walked around the city, pushcarts jam-packed, handing out hearty meals. I still remember some napping vagrants’ confused expressions – as though dreaming - when they were woken up and handed a free meal.
God is so pleased when He witnesses our sacrifice of giving to others. After all, everything we have has been given to us by Him. Giving does not always have to represent a financial offering. It can be babysitting a friend’s kid or offering to mow the lawn for your elderly neighbor. Giving to others is like sewing a seed for you to receive more blessings. The blessing may not be similar to the way in which you’ve given or within a specific time frame, but you will be blessed. The Lord is not bothered by the quantity of our giving. His concern if focused on the position of our hearts when we give. There are many physiological benefits associated with the act of giving. Two of them being: 1) It lowers the risk of depression by releasing endorphins in the brain; 2) Promotes longevity by decreasing stress (often associated with a variety of health problems). Generosity is contagious and can spread like a growing tree! Faith Step: Why not consider (and write down) a few ways you can extend generosity over the next few days, leading up to Christmas.
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