If you’re like me, I love hearing heartwarming stories about giving to those in need. It helps our already difficult world seem a little brighter when kindness is spread. When it comes to myself, it can be difficult for me to be motivated to step outside of myself and think about others. Giving usually means making sacrifices on my part, and because I am selfish, I can be reluctant to focus on others.
What we may not realize is that when we give to others, we actually receive something in return. The things we receive when we give are often more valuable than anything we could give ourselves. If we become aware of these blessings, it might be the catalyst we need to start looking around us and seeing where we can give.
Here are five things we get when we give to others:
1. We are reminded that the Lord is faithful.
One of the blessings of giving is that it teaches us that we can trust that the Lord is faithful. It can sometimes be scary to give because it means we are releasing something we have and giving it to someone or somewhere else for their benefit. When we release something and give it away, we put our faith in God as our provider. It stretches us and reminds us that we depend on Him.
We are human and sometimes it can be difficult to remember that the Lord is faithful. One thing that has helped me is thinking back to times when the Lord provided for my needs. When I look back, I can see that there was never a time when he failed to support me. Most of the time, what he brought me was even better than I could have imagined. It reminds me again that he is who he says he is and that it is much easier to release the things I want to hold on to.
2. It takes our eyes off us.
It can be so easy to focus on our own needs all the time that we can forget to look at the world around us. When we are so focused on ourselves, we miss opportunities to give in times of need and see where God might be working.
Giving of our time, talents and possessions can teach us that the world does not revolve around us. If we take the time to notice where we can use what we have to benefit others, we can see where we can be a blessing in the lives of others.
One of the things I’ve noticed in my children is that when they are so focused on themselves, they usually think that what they already have isn’t enough and end up wanting more. This can be the ugliest side of being so focused on yourself; that all you want to do is consume and never give anything away. It’s a miserable way to live and it’s never satisfying.
I am grateful that the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves, and has a better way to live for us. It is looking beyond ourselves, being able to see the needs of others and having the opportunity to give of ourselves and what we have. I have found this lifestyle more satisfying than just focusing on what I want all the time.
3. It reminds us of what is most important in life.
It can be difficult to remember what the most important things in life are, especially in our current culture. Every day we are surrounded by conflicting voices trying to tell us what is most important, what we should think, and where to focus our time. We can get lost in all the confusion and completely miss the areas we should be focusing our attention on each day.
Giving can open our eyes to what is most important in life. Everything we have is temporary and belongs to the Lord. There is nothing we have that has not been given to us by Him. If we can have this perspective in life, it will help us know what is truly important. When we know what is important, it will be easier for us to give because we can view it as a tool to bless others. Giving reminds us of what is truly important in life, but we can also be motivated to give because we know what really matters.
4. It makes us more like Jesus.
Jesus was the perfect example of someone who gave his life. Everything He did was for the glory of the Father and for the good of all those around Him. Nothing he did was for selfish gain.
When we give of ourselves and what we have, we begin to become more like Jesus. If becoming more like Jesus is our goal, using our resources for the good of others is an important part of that 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 be pointed to Jesus through us. When we understand this, it helps us become more like Jesus. This is also what we were created for: to become more like Jesus and share the good news about him. Giving is a crucial part of this process.
5. Giving reminds us that we need each other.
Giving also reminds us that as human beings we need each other and are meant to live together. There have been many times in my life where I had something that someone else needed or vice versa. It makes life so much richer when we care for each other in this way, and it deepens our sense of community. This is how the Lord wanted us to live from the beginning, giving what we have to one another for the benefit of one another.
Each of us also has something that will benefit someone else in the body of Christ. None of us can claim to have everything. It is therefore essential to give so that we can all have what we need. Each person is needed and has something to contribute. It would be a lie if we thought otherwise. I am so grateful that we don’t have to live alone and that giving blesses us in more ways than we realize.
With the right attitude, giving can actually be one of the best things we ever do. The more I do it, the more I realize what a blessing it is to me, not just the person I’m giving to. One of my favorite things to see when I give is how the Lord can multiply it and make it into something I could never do on my own. I pray that it will be the same for each of us, that we can see the blessings we receive when we give and realize how it truly transforms us for the better.
A prayer to give with joy
In this heartfelt episode of Your Daily Prayer, Chelsey DeMatteis shares how a simple act of generosity — beyond finances — became a lifeline in a difficult season. Be encouraged to view giving as more than money and discover how your obedience to 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.
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