What Will You Give?

One of my favorite Bible verses about giving is this one found in Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

They used to sing a song based on this verse in the church I used to attend at offering time. It got people motivated to open up their wallets and give more at the prospect of it triggering an even greater blessing in return. But I believe that this scripture does not only apply to giving money. I believe that it can apply to anything that we give including love, attention, time, energy (positive or negative). It’s that now famous but old as time law of attraction at work once again.

Given where we are in this place in the global economic cycle, there seems to be a prevading spirit of lack, of hard times, belt-tightening, etc. Those of us who know better understand that we will simply get more of what we’re focusing on, so this spirit of ‘not enough’ perpetuates itself ad nauseum.

So, I ask, what will you give to make your situation more of what you’d like it to be? What do you want to see overflowing into your life? Whatever that is–more love, more peace, more cash–then that is what you need to give. Your actions, your energy and your words are like seeds. Sown in good soil, they will return a hundred or even a thousand fold for your labors.

All of this is easier said than done, believe me, I know. I struggle myself with the temptation to give in to the feelings of dread when I hear about the latest round of layoffs, and the fact that we have not yet ‘hit bottom’ in this downwards cycle. So, I find myself looking for some positive things to focus on. This morning in the shower I was reflecting on all of the wonderful things in my life that are free like the love I have for my children, my friends, using my talents and skills. I have even turned this into a kind of game that I play with myself. Whenever I am about to get sucked down into negativity, I try to catch myself and ask, “What’s good about it?” Sounds goofy, I know, but it works for me. It interrupts a destructive pattern and helps me to look at life from a more ppwerful, resourceful place.

Prayers and affirmations also help to maintain a positive vibe. Here’s a Prosperity Prayer that I found that helps to keep me grounded and remember that my faith will always move my vision forward. My prayer for you is that you would be blessed beyond measure and that you would keep this old adage in mind: “Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind the stronger the trees.” As the wind blows in your life know that things happen for us not to us, and that the only meaning a given circumstance holds is the one we give to it.

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