Giving is Fulfilling
The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, “The best way to find our self is to lose our self in the service of others.” Research shows that when we volunteer in helping others, we sleep better, it improves our mental and physical health, longevity, and even our genes. Helping and caring about others is the Lord’s purpose for our lives.
The Christian life is a life of giving. We give of ourselves in ministering to others in caring for their physical and spiritual needs. We give of our hearts, our time, and our money, all in an effort to help people and point them to Christ. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). Only Christ can give us life to the full, and it comes from a giving heart driven by love. Living with our hearts filled with God’s love and compassion has a healthy affect on our minds and bodies as proven by scientific research. This is easily understood because we are created in the image of God and He is a giving God as demonstrated through the sacrifice of his Son for our sins.
It is the Holy Spirit that lives in the believer that is continually molding us to the mind and heart of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit reveals the character of God, and over time we are molded to His character. And like Jesus we develop a giving and caring heart, enabling us to live life to the full.
Satan doesn’t want us to have a loving and caring heart. Instead, he wants our hearts to be self-centered. He wants us to be our own gods and to put ourselves above others. When we live according to Satan’s evil plan, he attempts to fill our hearts with fear, anxiety, anger, and unforgiveness, all of which are bad for our mental and physical health. We are created in the image of God and not in the image of Satan.
Today, live with a giving heart. Give of your time to listen to someone, help someone, encourage someone or pray with someone. The more our hearts seek to give, the more fulfilled and satisfied we feel, because we are living in accordance with how we were created. If you are not volunteering somewhere, take time today to seek out places where you might be of help to others. It might be a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or a senior citizens center. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and help. Don’t wait for your heart to change, but step out and volunteer, because God changes our hearts as we step out and help others.
Let’s Pray: Lord, develop in me a truly giving heart; a heart that seeks to help others. Guide me by the Spirit to people and places where I can minister and serve. Continue to change my mind and heart to the mind and heart of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.