Some of you have heard about the two different mindsets by which a person can and does live their life: (A) Abundance or (B) Scarcity. The premise upon which these two mindsets are based is quite simple. Abundance says there is plenty of supply, we won’t ever run out, so make all you can make and give all you can give to God and to your fellow man. Scarcity, on the other hand, supposes there is an extremely limited supply. We will all run out of supply very soon so hurry up and get your share first before everyone else gets their share and whatever they can of your share too.
On which side of the spectrum do you find yourself and your thinking? You see, life and the mindset you choose to live with is indeed your own choice. It is all in the manner and way that you see things and life in general and yourself in particular. It is all connected to how you personally view God Almighty.
A truth of life clears things up quickly. We make a living by what we get—we make a life by what we give.
Are you a giver or are you a taker? Self Test right now. I challenge you to pick your five closest personal friends and ask them that specific question as relates to you. How do they see you from the outside looking in? That particular perspective (from the other side of the coin) almost always yields a much different point of view than does just looking at and evaluating yourself from your own thoughts, sight, and perspective.
As I always do, let’s go the the Word of God and take a quick look at a few verses of Holy Scripture just to see what He has to say about how you should live your life. In the Book of Acts, Chapter 20, verse 35 ESV:
(35) “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this
way we must help the weak and remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to
give than to receive.’ ”
Elsewhere in the Bible it says in the Book of Psalms, Chapter 37, verse 4 NKJV:
(4) “Delight yourself also in the Lord. And He shall give you the
desires of your heart.”
And again in the Book of Luke, Chapter 6, verse 38 NKJV:
(38) “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over will be put into
your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it
will be measured back to you.”
Giving, loving, and serving other people is discussed in great detail throughout the Bible. It is clear that God wants his Children to generously give of their time, energy, effort, and resources to other people less fortunate than themselves.
God wants all of His Children to be generous and joyful givers,…never takers.
God truly does want you to be a giver to other people, and when you give, give in love and service to your fellow man expecting nothing in return for your own generosity. If you will do that,… miraculously somehow you will be blessed and God will fulfill all of your needs, according to His riches in Christ Jesus. (See Philippians 4 : 19).
There is a great story told about the famous American businessman and entrepreneur, Andrew Carnegie, that best tells the benefits and blessings that is poured back into the lives of the great givers within the pages of history of the United States:
Andrew Carnegie is considered by most historians to be one of the richest and most ruthless of the “robber barons” who flourished at the beginning of the twentieth century. His lasting legacy, however, is as a man who gave.
Some 2,505 libraries bear his name, and they are only a small part of his philanthropic effort throughout America.
In his later years, Carnegie once demanded of his accountants, “How much have I given away so far?”
The accountants knew down to the last dollar: $324,657,399 to be exact.” Carnegie blinked and gulped when he heard the figure. And then he recovered from his own astonishment to exclaim, “Good heavens, where did I get all that money?”
Statues are not sculpted in honor of misers.
Names of honor are not given to those who hoard.
One of the best ways to make it into the annals of history, as well as into the goodwill of others, is to be a person noted for generosity.
The person who has the giving heart, the loving, caring, and always available assistance to their fellow men and women is the one who soon will be talked most about by the masses of society. People talk lots about the people who give the most and who most regularly give. That is the honor roll on which you should be attempting to earn a place.
The real joy in life comes from that which you give. The response of those receiving what you have given is what brings you, the giver, the most beautiful blessings.
Always remember, God cannot bless anything that you take. He can only bless that which you freely give!
Become a Generous and Joyful Giver to other people.
Peace and Love to All of You……………….Poppa Bear