Today, I would like to talk to you about, “The Power of Joyful Giving.” The reflection is based on the following passage: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV).
Across the world, almost all cultures and religions emphasize the importance of giving. To those who open their hearts to give, good fortune and blessings are promised. “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Jesus said (Acts 20:35).
While giving is a noble practice, the mere fact of giving does not guarantee the giver a blessing. In fact, ‘unhappy giving’ can lead to self-inflicted misfortune. What unlocks the power of giving is the joy which accompanies the act of giving.
The purpose of giving is to bless the recipient. This purpose is accomplished only if we are happy about giving, or at least we are at peace about it. When we give from a cheerful heart, we have successfully blessed the recipient – regardless of what the recipient feels about our giving. We have done our part, and that is what matters.
Energy is intelligent and infectious. Joy is energy; so is resentment. The emotional state that accompanies our giving is far more impactful than the size of our gift.
Giving joyfully accomplishes two things. First, it amplifies our giving. Joy is an uplifting energy. As a result, anything done from a place of joy causes us to flourish. For example, joyful giving has the power to boost our financial well-being.
Second, joy is a way opener. Where doors seem closed, the presence of joy will remove heaviness and open the way for blessings to flow. When we give joyfully, it removes blockages and renders our heart more receptive to divine abundance. This means we are more likely to experience increase – not just in finances – but in other areas of life.
Resentful giving accomplishes the exact opposite. Anything given reluctantly is tainted with negative energy. This will affect the giver as well as the recipient. The resentment will block the flow of blessings. Therefore, in general, it is better for us not to give than to give from an unhappy heart.
Likewise, it would be prudent for us to decline a gift from an unhappy giver – if we can do without their gift. Where directly declining a gift might hurt an important relationship, we can take the gift and later dispose of it – discreetly, of course.
Inability to give cheerfully is a sign that we are not ready to give, and it is better not to give at all.
The universe operates on a principle of “Give-and-Take.” The measure with which we give is the measure with which we will receive. This “measure” is not about the size of our gift, but the degree of cheerfulness that accompanies our giving. The greater our joy, the greater our blessing.
With love and blessings
Stevve
Higher-Self Realities 