“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ―H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Christ said “the poor you will always have with you”. To me, it’s our mandate to learn to support the poor as though we are supporting the Almighty God who is the owner and ruler of the world. Give to bless someone each day the little way you can; that turns you into a channel of blessing used by God to relieve burdens and gladden hearts beautifully.
Giving is supposed to be a spiritual mandate from God to man. And the poor will always be among us says the Holy Bible as recorded in the gospels. The gospels clearly reference the words of Christ as found in Matthew 26:11, John 12:8, Mark 14:7, “the poor you will always have with you…”,. Deuteronomy 15:11 also emphasizes “there will always be poor people in the land…”. Paraphrasing further, God therefore commands you and me to be openhanded toward our brothers and sisters who are poor and needy in our land. If all we give is given as though to the owner of the universe who sees and rewards in secret; than the material poor, intellectually poor, psychologically poor, emotionally poor will get their needs and wants supplied according to His riches in glory.
One may ask? Must we give only to a biological brother or sister? But who is actually my brother or sister. Does this concept only relate to a biological brother or sister? Christ clearly dealt with it when he was told that his mother and brothers were looking for him. He unmistakably answered by rhetorically questioning them; who is my brother? He then explained that anyone who does the will of his father in heaven is his brother or sister. This should clearly mean that not only must we give to our biological brothers or sisters; we must also give to anyone who does the will of our father in Heaven.
The poor will always be among us, but when we give, we make them turn a grateful heart and mind to God in thanksgiving because their needs are being met. That way, we learn to do the will of God here on earth, which is the mandate given to us by God. Giving must be a duty and a pleasure. The only true giving and or charity is one which is truly and sincerely done or giving from the heart of the giver to the receiver with no strings attached. Helping those who are willing to support and help themselves in some way is the best kind of charity one can help in.
Some may help with a prayer if food is requested, others may support with food and prayer and further referral for future support if prayer is needed. Don’t fall into that game of accessing the worth of other’s benevolent giving with an enquiry mind and tongue. Let everyone purpose in his heart to give to others as he the giver is blessed by God to share. Because giving liberates the soul of the giver, amongst all its other benefits and no one becomes poor out of giving. The good book further reminds us that, to whom much is given, more is expected. Let’s ponder on these words.
It’s a world full of abundance. Give with a heart of gratitude and be amazed at how it works. Don’t take my words for it, why not try it, in order to have a story of your own to tell. You too can activate the giving culture to brighten the corner where you live. The rippling effect in the long run, helps to make the world a better place to live in. Giver’s never lack. Give and it will be given unto you. Attempt it. You will like it.
Baptista is the Executive Director of ProHumane Afrique International. ProHumane is a charitable, development & think thank organization working with communities & individuals to create sustainable solutions to transform communities through diverse pro-poor initiatives. Pro-poor initiatives are initiatives that help to alleviate poverty. Baptista is a realist, affable, simple and humane. You can reach her via e-mail on [email protected] and follow this conversation on all our social media sites: Linked-In/ Twitter/ Facebook/ Instagram: ProHumane Afrique International. Call or WhatsApp: +233(0)262213313. Hashtag: #behumane #thegivingcapsules #prohumaneafriqueint #fowc
