Lesson 6b: To Give is to Receive
Objective: Learn
that by giving you are also receiving
|
"Giving
frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by
opening our
mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others."
- Barbara Bush |
The path to abundance and prosperity is to be able to give
without the expectation of return. Many have lived by the
motto, "It
is better to give than to receive." Yet, sometimes this phrase
does not state the true benefits of giving. It may actually sets
up a cycle of poverty consciousness if used improperly that we have
to give what we have in order to
receive
the
riches
of heaven. The
idea of giving should not be centered around the idea that in order
to be spiritual, one
must
be poor. Rather, tithing should be
about a belief that you are already abundant and prosperous
to begin with, and therefore you are able to share what you have in order
to help
others. It
is important to understand that no matter what we have, we are already
abundant
and
prosperous. It is when we compare ourselves to others that we
feel inadequate, less than, less abundant, and less prosperous. If
we think about what we have achieved as a society compared to 100 to
200
years
ago,
how
can we say that we are not abundant and prosperous?
How does giving and
receiving really work?
-
Cycle of giving - Like any transaction,
there is a giver and a receiver. If we stop giving, then others
will stop receiving, and the cycle and energy
will stop. Our
economy is based on the circular flow of money, you give money in
order to receive a product, and that person gives money
to someone else to receive supplies. Thus, when you give, you
will also receive. And if people stop giving, the economy will
move into a recession.
- Pay it forward - The concept gained popularity in 2000 due
to the movie "Pay It Forward." The idea is to
give to the world and ask nothing in return except for others to give
a favor to
three other
people. This energy will then quickly mushroom. It
shows how a small ripple of energy can endlessly expand. Thus,
if you want a change in the world, you need to create the energy
to make the
change happen. And,
in the end, you will receive the benefits.
- Benefits of giving - The true benefits of giving happen
when we give without the expectation of receiving anything in exchange,
when we give simply for the sake of giving. The
joy of giving, knowing you are helping another individual, is the gift
you give yourself when you give from your heart. In addition,
giving of ourselves helps us feel
more useful and part
of
society. When you give of yourself, selflessly, the unexpected
happens. For
example, in one study by University of Michigan, the benefits of
giving
resulted
in an
increased life expectancy.
- Sign of prosperity - If you believe that you have nothing
to give (either time, support, or money), then it is a sign that
you are coming from poverty consciousness (that you believe that you
do not have enough). You
will then hold on to your possessions tighter. Cars
and houses become possessions rather than objects that you
use in
your life. Your
self-worth is then tied to our house and cars. Prosperity
consciousness is being able to freely give what you have. Having
prosperity consciousness means that if you lose your house or
car, the loss
is a small set
back that you take in stride and not the loss of a prized possession. Prosperity
is not about how much money you have but
about how you feel about what you have (money, friends, family,
etc.). Are you abundant and able to give?
"You can't have
a perfect day without doing something for someone who'll never
be able to repay you"
- John Wooden |
Giving and receiving is all one. It is a cycle. If you are
not getting what you want out of life, then consider what you are not
giving
in life. Are you holding back out of fear of not having enough
(time, money, or resources)? If so, change your thoughts to
what you are giving instead of receiving. |
