| December 5, 2016 -- Christmas season is often closely associated with the giving and receiving presents, which gets me to thinking about the entire broad subject of giving. We have all heard the old adage that it is more blessed to give than receive, but there is more to the adage than appears on the surface. It turns out that generous giving is also good for both your physical and mental health. Note that I included the modifier “generous”. If you give grudgingly, and/or only of that which you can easily spare without missing it, then your giving has no benefit to you and perhaps very little to those who receive it. According to Immanuel Kant, if you only give of your abundance there is no virtue in the giving; you are merely doing what God says you should do, sharing with others that which you do not need for yourself. But if your gift actually entails some sacrifice on your part, then there is real blessing in your gift, both to the giver and to the receiver.
Keep in mind that the entire subject of giving includes much more than the presenting of physical objects. In fact, such giving may occur without really putting much of yourself into the giving. To be a complete giver you should give not only of your treasure, but also of your time and your talent. Whether it be for your family, or your Grange or for your Church, or for your community, give your whole self to helping others. It has been wisely said that the more you put into any organization, including into your own family, the more you get out of it. Give and God will reward you for your giving. We read this in the sixth chapter of Luke’s Gospel:
“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.”
And finally, as the Christmas season approaches, let us become aware that no matter how much we give to others and to God we cannot approach God’s gifts to us, especially His greatest gift, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” |
