The Art Of Giving

By Jeremiah Model

“There is nothing more visceral than cynicism, nothing more brutish than greed. These are reflexes, common and unremarkable, of the undeveloped spirit. But charity in its finest sense is always an act of the creative imagination.” I read this saying on Oprah Winfrey’s online magazine.

What is fascinating about many successful philanthropists is that most all of them would agree that giving is the reason for their financial success and other successes in their lives. As explained by Oprah and the likes of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Giving is what allowed the Universe to flow back into their lives and allowed them to provide opportunities for others.

Giving unfortunately to many Americans is a burdensome word some of us cringe at the word because it requires something from us, some of us have justified ourselves as nice people or good people and that by being a nice person or good person our giving is dependent upon that. Like for instance giving up some loose change to a homeless person, or into a charity foundation box, giving a gift to someone on their birthday, or Christmas. This sort of giving is like giving a tip or based on convenience.

The effectiveness of giving is without exception very potent. The majority of the populous will attempt to stop you from taking, but absolutely nobody can roadblock you from bestowing as profusely as you wish. By giving you increase your value, and the value that flows back into your life, and you also reap the benefits of becoming stronger.

Each time you have an interaction with somebody, you have the potential to contribute to that individual some sort of value, whether it is a conception, a kind act of service, or kindness in your words toward the person. The most impactful gifts are those that are stored up in our G-d given hearts and are shared with mankind.

Now it is important to understand that many will appreciate your giving qualities and unfortunately some will not. The point is that each and every one of you have something unique in you, something to share, gifts, talents, abilities, use it for flourishing and nourishment for this world.

I personally believe that the most selfless act committed in this world and the best example of giving, was done approximately 2000 plus years ago in Jerusalem in a place called Golgotha. The crucifixion of Jesus “John 3:16 states “For G-d so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

One of my favorite verses on giving is found in the book of Acts 20:35 New International Version (NIV)
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Lets take a vow today to be more, to grow more, to invest in ourselves, and enhance the world.