If you’re like me, you love hearing heartwarming stories about donating to those in need. When kindness spreads, an already difficult world seems a little brighter. When it comes to ourselves, it can be hard to feel motivated to step outside of ourselves and think about others. Giving usually means sacrificing myself, and being selfish, I can be reluctant to focus on others.
We may not realize it, but when we give to others, we are actually receiving something in return. What we receive when we give is often more valuable than what we can give ourselves. As you become aware of these blessings, it may prompt you to start looking around and thinking about where you can contribute.
Here are five things you can gain by giving to others.
1. We remember that the Lord is faithful.
One of the blessings of giving is that it teaches us that we can trust the Lord to be faithful. Giving can be scary at times because it means giving up what you have and giving it to someone or somewhere else for their benefit. When we let go of something and give to others, we are trusting God to be our provider. It puts us on edge and reminds us of our dependence on God.
Because we are human, it can be difficult to remember that the Lord is faithful. One thing that has helped me is remembering those days when the Lord was providing for me. Looking back, I can see there was never a time when he wasn’t doing everything for me. Most of the time, what he provides me is even better than what I could have imagined. Then I am reminded again that he is who he says he is, and it becomes much easier to let go of what I want to hold on to.
2. You take your eyes off yourself.
We can be so focused on our own needs that we forget to look at the world around us. When we focus too much on ourselves, we miss opportunities to give when needed and to see where God is working.
By giving of your time, talents, and wealth, you learn that the world doesn’t revolve around you. When you take the time to pay attention to how you can use what you have to benefit others, you begin to see how you can be a blessing in the lives of others.
One thing I’ve noticed with my kids is that when they focus too much on themselves, they usually think what they already have isn’t enough and end up wanting more. This may be the ugly part of being too focused on yourself. All you want to do is consume and not give anything away. It’s a miserable way to live and you’ll never be satisfied.
Thank you Lord that He knows us better than we know ourselves and He has a better way for us to live. It’s about looking at yourself, being able to understand the needs of others, and having the opportunity to give of yourself and what you have. I’ve found this way of life to be more satisfying than constantly focusing on what I want.
3. It reminds you of the most important things in life.
Especially in our current culture, it can be difficult to remember what is most important in life. Every day we are surrounded by conflicting voices trying to tell us what is most important, what to think about, and what to focus our time on. We can get lost in the chaos and completely forget where to focus our attention each day.
By giving, you can open your eyes to what is most important in life. Everything we have is temporary and belongs to the Lord. There is nothing we have that He did not give us. Once you have this perspective in life, you will begin to see what is truly important. When you understand what is important, it becomes easier to give because you can see it as a tool to bless others. Giving reminds us of what’s really important in life, but knowing what’s really important can also make us more willing to give.
4. It makes us more like Jesus.
Jesus was the perfect example of someone who laid down his life. Everything he did was for the glory of the Father and for the benefit of all those around him. Nothing he did was for personal gain.
When we give of ourselves and what we have, we become more like Jesus. If our goal is to become more like Jesus, using our resources for the good of others is an important part of this process. We were never meant to keep everything we have to ourselves. We are meant to share it with the world so that others can point to Jesus through us. Understanding this helps us become more like Jesus. This is also what we were created to be like Jesus and share the good news about Him. Donations are an important part of this process.
5. Giving reminds us that we need each other.
Giving also reminds us that as humans we need each other and that we were destined to walk through life together. There have been many times in my life when I had something that someone else needed and vice versa. Giving to each other in this way enriches our lives and deepens our sense of community. This is how the Lord intended us to live from the beginning, giving what we have to each other for our mutual benefit.
Each of us also has something in the body of Christ that can benefit someone else. None of us can claim to have it all. Donating is essential so we can all have what we need. Each person is needed and has something to contribute. I would be lying if I believed otherwise. We are so grateful that we don’t have to live life alone and that giving can bless us in more ways than we realize.
With the right attitude, donating can actually be one of the best things we’ve ever done. The more I did it, the more I actually realized how much of a blessing it was not only to the other person, but to me as well. One of the things I look forward to most when I give is how the Lord will multiply it and turn it into something I could never do on my own. I pray that for each of us as well, we would see the blessings we receive in our giving and realize how much it actually changes us for the better.
Prayer for Joyful Giving
In this heartfelt episode of Your Daily Prayer, Chelsea DeMatteis shares how a simple act of generosity, beyond finances, was a lifeline during a difficult season. Be encouraged to see giving as more than money and discover how following God’s promptings can bring joy, healing, and unexpected blessings. If this prayer encourages your heart and strengthens your faith, be sure to follow Your Daily Prayer on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Becky Webber is a wife and mother of four children. She loves writing and speaking. She is a pastor’s wife in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and her husband, Adam, is the senior pastor of Embrace Church. Her passion is to encourage others (especially women) to learn how to walk with Jesus every day. You can find more information at www.becweber.com and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
