The Secret of Living
In this world all people can be divided into two groups. Democrats or Republicans. Just kidding! They are either givers or takers. Hmmm..maybe they ARE Democrats OR Republicans. OK, OK, sorry. No more political jokes. No offense to either party, seriously. Besides, there are more than two parties, right?
The secret to living is summed up in one word…giving. If you want to experience life to the fullest, try this:
- Give of yourself to God. Serve Him first and foremost.
- Give of yourself to others. Serve them unselfishly.
- Give of your time to your family and friends. There is nothing more valuable to them.
- Give of your finances to help those less fortunate. There is always someone less fortunate than you. God has a way of putting them in your path.
- Give to others expecting nothing in return.
- Give of your talents that God has gifted you with. Everyone has a talent to do something. Find it and use it.
- Give the best you have to your work. Don’t be a slacker.
I was speaking with a good friend of mine this week, and I asked him if he was content in all circumstances. This man, by the way, is one of the most joyous people I know. He said, “Yes, I am now. I was not always that way, but I have learned to be content.”
Did you get that? He LEARNED to be content. That is great news for everyone. It is a learned behavior. We can learn to be content when we have abundance, and we can learn to be content when we have little. I know that is a challenge on the second half of that statement.
Being content is sure a lot easier when everything is going your way. When you feel good, look good, and got money to burn, life is a highway and you are on cruise control. But when life throws you a flat tire or a wreck, what do you do? When the finances go south, when your health takes a turn for the worse, when your relationship with someone you love goes sideways, what do you do?
The secret of living is giving. If your finances are in disorder, sow financially into someone less fortunate. If your health has taken a hit, sow into someone whose health is worse than yours. If a relationship has taken a detour, sow into your relationships (all of them) unselfishly.
Give…and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
The principle is simple. Don’t give to get, you get to give.
P.S. There is a difference between being a taker and being a receiver. A taker is selfish, self-centered, and expects to be given to. A receiver is a giver and humbled that they are being given to. A receiver will pay it forward because that is who they are…they are a giver at heart.
Shalom!
Dan Skognes