Generosity | From the Inside Out

Archive for the ‘Generosity’ Category

Happiness

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Encouragement, Generosity, Hope, Joy, Service, tagged Appreciation, Blessing, Contentment, Encouragement, Gratitude, Happiness, Hope, Joy, Thanksgiving on August 15, 2013| 16 Comments »

On January 17, 2005, this title emblazoned the cover of Time Magazine: “The Science of Happiness.”

On December 5, 2008, the Associated Press released this article: “Smile! Study Says Happiness is Contagious.”

And the entire January/February 2012 issue of the Harvard Business Review was dedicated to: “The Value of Happiness.”

For over a decade now, a large group of scientists and researchers have turned their attention to the study happiness.

Some of their findings are valuable to know:

Happy people live longer. In one study, the happiest group lived nine years longer than the unhappiest group. When you consider that cigarette smoking can shorten one’s life three to six years, depending on how much a person smokes, it becomes clear the effect of happiness is huge.

Once the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter are taken care of, extra riches do not make people happier. Scientists think it’s because we adapt to pleasure, and it quickly wears off.

Relationships are key. The wider and deeper the relationships, the happier we’re going to be.

As the researchers have studied happy people, they have discovered common characteristics. Happy people tend to:

A. Notice more of the positive details of their lives. These people have learned how to savor the small, joyful moments as well as the memorable, euphoric ones.

B. Appreciate more. Grateful people even sleep better!

C. Think optimistically. Those who have a sense of purpose, who look forward with hopeful expectation to the future, are more satisfied with their lives.

D. Give generously of their time and resources. Researchers discovered that it was the giver who actually reaped more benefits than the receiver.

E. Empathize with others. They have learned to put themselves in the place of others, in order to understand their situations. They genuinely care about others and demonstrate compassion. Researchers found that compassion contributes to health and more productive living. The side effect? Happiness.

As I’ve perused these findings, I couldn’t help but smile. Everything secular research is “discovering” about happiness is already laid out in scripture!

Take the three findings mentioned above.

1. Happy people enjoy a longer life. God says, “With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16). Also, “Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity” (Proverbs 3:1-2). In other words, long life and prosperity come to those who know God and obey his Word. In fact, as his children (those who have received Jesus into their lives), we have eternal life to look forward to!

2. Riches do not guarantee happiness. Solomon figured that out eons ago. “I denied myself nothing,” he said. “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).

3. Relationships are key. The most important and valuable relationship we can have is with Jesus. When we accept him into our lives, he calls us friends (John 15:15). Jesus wants to give us life to the full (10:10) so that our joy may be complete (15:11). Relationships with other Christians can also be highly gratifying. The bonds of faith and friendship forge a deep familial connection (Proverbs 18:24b).

Scripture also verifies the five characteristics of happy people:

A. Attention — to the positive details of life. The psalmists were masters at drawing our attention to the beauty and grandeur of creation, God’s amazing ability to engineer circumstances, and His glorious attributes at work in our lives. We would be wise to do the same.

B. Gratitude. Paul instructed us, “Rejoice in the Lord always…In everything, by prayer…with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7). Is not peace of mind closely related to happiness? Surely we cannot have one without the other.

C. Optimism. The Christian’s optimism is not based on wishful thinking. We have a strong foundation for our hope: God himself. David affirmed that truth when he wrote, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5). And what is the result of that hope? “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God…the Lord, who remains faithful forever” (Psalm 146:5-6).

D. Generosity. The researchers almost echo word for word what Jesus taught: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

E. Empathy. Compassion is an extension of generosity. As we give attention, understanding, and care to others, we experience a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our spirits. It is not only more blessed to give money or material goods, it is more blessed to give of ourselves.

One neuroscientist involved in the study of happiness said…

… happiness could best be described as a state of contentment.

And A.W. Pink, author of Comfort for Christians wrote…

“Contentment is the product of a heart resting in God.”

That, my friends, is the key to happiness: resting in God.

(Photo credits: newpathwaytohealing.com ; lifeingeneral.blogspot.com ; rncentral.com ; zazzle.com ; my.opera.com)

Read Full Post »

More Meaningful Mishaps–on the Keyboard

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, Generosity, God's Presence, Praise, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Acts 16, Blessings, Chris Tomlin, Encouragement, Faith, God's Presence, Paul, Praise, Silas, Worship on May 13, 2013| 8 Comments »

Back in January I wrote a post about meaningful mishaps on the keyboard—typos with significance. Now, four months later, I’ve collected a few more.

Mishap #1:

I meant to type caring, but the screen showed daring. Actually, the two words can be used together in a meaningful way: Sometimes we must be daring in our caring.

My husband, Steve, is a generous tipper. He frequently dares to care with his wallet. Not that we have a lot of money to spare, but we’ve experienced time and again you can’t outgive God. His economy isn’t logical; it’s theological.

(Photo credit: TBoard)

A few years ago Steve was traveling out-of-state every few months to visit his elderly parents. Each time he would stay at a bed and breakfast near the assisted living home. Steve became well-acquainted with the B & B manager and always left her a gracious tip.

In December of 2011, Steve’s dad graduated to heaven. He had served God well and been a mentor to many. At age ninety-three, he was looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face.

Since we’d be needing several days’ accommodation, Steve called T. to see if she might have a room available for us at the B & B—even though it was very short notice.

“I can accommodate you the first three nights, but that last night, we’re full,” she responded. “However! There is no reason you and Nancy can’t stay with me. My apartment is good-sized, and you’ll have your own suite. In fact, I insist!”

Would T. have made such a generous offer, if Steve had not been so gracious to her? Probably. T is a very giving woman herself. I do know Steve did not give those generous tips in order to receive.

But when we dare to care, God often augments the results.

Mishap #2:

Imagine my surprise to look at the screen and see, not long-standing faith as I’d intended, but song-standing faith.

Turns out, that is quite meaningful. Frequently a song will lift my spirit and affirm my faith. Take Chris Tomlin’s song, Our God. Imagine an energized congregation singing the chorus with passion and volume:

Chris Tomlin performing a concert in Johnson City, Tennessee, November 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And if our God is with us,
Then what can stand against us?
And if our God is for us,
Then who could ever stop us?

Such an experience has a powerful effect. I find myself standing up straighter. The concerns on my mind fade in importance, and my heart fills with confidence. Yes, song-standing faith works wonders! I need to avail myself of the opportunity more often.

Mishap #3:

The word was supposed to be dailyness, referring to the humdrum routine that occupies more of our time than we’d like. Instead, here’s what I typed: dailymess.

(Photo credit: WarzauWynn)

M-m-m. Another matter that occupies more of our time than we’d like: the messes we have to clean up, the interruptions, the unexpected turns of events. Such moments generate frustration and raise blood pressure. Not good!

So what do we do when the daily-ness of our lives, which is challenging enough, becomes daily-mess?

To begin, song-affirming faith (Mishaps #2) will certainly help. Remember Paul and Silas, missionaries who traveled far and wide to tell others about Jesus? While visiting Philippi, they stumbled into an awful mess, and ended up in prison. For all they knew, they could be killed the next day. And yet at midnight, these two were praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25).

They were accessing song-affirming faith to combat the mess—the unexpected turn of events in their lives.

And why were Paul and Silas in prison in the first place? They had been daring and caring (Mishap #1, above). They had helped a slave girl, enraged the owners, and were arrested. BUT! God intervened in a miraculous way. An earthquake opened the prison doors. Paul, Silas and the other prisoners could have escaped, but didn’t. As a result, the jailer wanted to know about this Jesus they’d been praying to and singing about. He wanted to know how he and his family could have eternal life. The daring and caring of Paul and Silas paid great dividends—more souls for the kingdom of heaven! (See Acts 16 for the whole incredible story.)

Daring and caring. Song-affirming faith. Both combat the daily-mess of life.

* * * * * * * * *

Thank you, Father, for the affirmations you reveal through my keyboard mishaps: 1) You augment daring and caring to produce amazing results, and 2) Song-affirming faith ushers us into your presence where we experience your power and presence, and 3) You provide strength and perseverance to deal with the daily-mess of life.

Hallelujah! I give thanks to you with everything I’ve got! Your works are so great, worth a lifetime of study–endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark your craft; your generosity never gives out, your miracles are your memorial. You are the God of Grace and the God of Love! (Taken from Psalm 111:1-4, The Message.)

Read Full Post »

From Fame to Shame

Posted in Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, Generosity, Godly Character, Heroes of the Faith, Service, Uncategorized, tagged Encouragement, Faith, Godly Character, Heroes of the Christian Faith, John Chrysostom on April 22, 2013| 8 Comments »

St John Chrysostom, St Patrick’s cathedral, New York City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A few months ago, if you had asked me about John Chrysostom, a Christian of ancient times, you’d have been answered with, “John who?” Since then, I’ve come across him several times in my reading. Now I know him as a worthy entrant into the Christianity Hall of Fame.

John was born around 350 A.D. As a youth, he aspired to become a monk. The monastic movement had begun in the late 200s by those who believed the world was an inherently sinful place, and the best thing to do was to live separately.

But John’s mother urged him to wait. She had been widowed as a young mother, only twenty years old, and devoted all her time and effort to her son and his education.

“You do not know how hard it was for me to take care of you,” she told him. “I don’t want you to be unhappy, but I do want for you to stay with me until I die.”

John stayed. But when she passed on to heaven, John did become a monk. From 374 to 380 A.D. he lived in a cave on a mountain near Antioch (Turkey).

Over time, John came to realize that a more meaningful life might be spent helping others, rather than living separate from them. (No doubt the Holy Spirit was guiding him!) He returned to the city of Antioch and became ordained as a priest.

John became well-known as an eloquent speaker, although he did not use lofty language. He kept his focus on explaining the scriptures plainly. Today, Bible scholars and church history students can study 640 of his sermons, of which we still have record. Here is one worthy example of John’s God-given wisdom:

“Take time regularly to read the Bible. Don’t let anyone make excuses like, ‘I’ve got this duty to fulfill,’ ‘I’m a skilled worker, I must get on with my job,’ or ‘I must provide for my family. I’ll leave that to professional Christians like monks and priests and theology students.’

“What on earth are you saying? It’s not your business to read the Bible because you’ve got too many other things to bother about? But that’s the very reason why you need to read the Bible! The more worries you have, the more you need the Bible to keep you going!

“People like monks and nuns who have left the troubles of the world behind are quite safe; they are like ships sailing on a calm sea, or moored in a quiet harbor. But you are in the middle of this godless world’s stormy sea, and so you need spiritual help and sustenance far more urgently.”

John accompanied his preaching with love and care for his congregation. He was known as a courteous, affectionate, and kindly priest. Perhaps that explains how he was able to be very pointed in his remarks. For example, John told his people:

“Money is like water. It goes bad if it does not run. Don’t think you have done enough because you beat down your body with fasting. I don’t object to your fasting, but helping others is more important.”

Restored section of the Walls of Constantinople (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

John’s fame grew all over the Roman Empire. When a bishop was required for the capital city of Constantinople, the emperor’s prime minister wanted to put John, the most famous orator, into that position. But he knew Antioch would never give up their beloved priest, and John would not want to leave his beloved Antioch. So the prime minister had soldiers kidnap John, and take him to Constantinople! There he was installed as bishop.

Perhaps John considered sneaking out of the city, but the historical record indicates he accepted the turn of events as the intervention of God.

John maintained his pure, simple lifestyle, giving away much of his salary to the poor. He also continued his frank style of preaching. That was not well received. The rich grew angry, the hierarchy of the church grew indignant, and a jealous bishop in Alexandria became bitter because he coveted that prestigious post at Constantinople. All of these people conspired against him, and as the result of false charges of heresy, John was banished from the city. He died in exile.

Sometime after his death, John was given the title Chrysostom, which means “golden-mouthed.”

Surely no one could refute that John Chrysostom was a moral man, who was dedicated to pious simplicity, unvarnished truth, and loving-kindness to others. Yet he was one selected for persecution, while unlawful greed and selfishness ruled in high places as well as low. Those against John surely wished to shame the caring priest. But for how many centuries has the shame actually been on them?

Now, 1600 years later, the world is still inhabited by greedy, selfish, shameful people. But there are few who follow John Chrysostom’s example. I want to be among the latter.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for men like John who resolutely lived out their beliefs, and whose greatest desire was to please you. May I remain strong in faith and practice. Help me to listen attentively to your Spirit and be obedient. I want to serve you with integrity, determination, and focus, just like John Chrysostom.

Cover of Christianity Through the Centuries

Resources:

Christianity through the Centuries by Earle E. Cairns, 1970.
The Church of Our Fathers by Roland H. Bainton, 1969.
Eerdmans’ Book of Christian Classics compiled by Veronica Zundel, 1985.

Read Full Post »

Giving and Receiving

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Generosity, Uncategorized, tagged Blessing, Generosity, Giving, Giving and Receiving, Gratitude, Receiving on April 4, 2013| 6 Comments »

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was late afternoon when the doorbell rang.

Through the sheer curtain at the window I could see D., from down the street. She and I had recently met and were becoming good friends.

“Is everything okay?” I asked while ushering D. inside.

“Oh, yes. It’s just…I have a present for you,” she replied. Sure enough, D. was carrying a wrapped box. We sat on the living room couch.

It was not Christmastime, and not my birthday. Why was she giving me a gift?

“Open it,” she encouraged.

“But, D.,” I hesitated.

“Go ON!”

Upon removing the paper and taking the lid off the box, I beheld a lovely navy blue Bible with gilded pages.

Now you need to know, D.’s husband and mine were in seminary at the time. Neither of our households had much money to spare. So this gift seemed over-the-top extravagant to me. Of course I could not accept it.

“D., this is absolutely beautiful, but…”

She stopped me. “I chose to buy this for you; I want you to have it. Besides, if you won’t receive it, you’ll steal my blessing!”

D. was referring, of course, to Acts 20:35: It is more blessed to give than receive.

I had never considered that interpretation, but she was right. In order for a giver to be blessed, there does need to be a receiver.

“Besides,” D. continued with a grin. “I already wrote inside the front cover. I can’t take it back. So there!”

D.’s words of that long-ago afternoon still play in my mind when I find myself balking at unexpected or overly-generous gifts. Even favors can make me uncomfortable. But if I don’t graciously receive, I steal the blessing from the giver.

And what’s at the bottom of my reluctance? A sense of unworthiness and pride. Now there’s a strange set of opposites!

D.’s gift made me feel unworthy. I wasn’t deserving of her sacrificial gift.

Yet pride was part of my reaction, too. I didn’t need her gift. I already had a perfectly good Bible. Yes, it was an old and worn King James version, but it had served me well and could certainly continue to do so.

What I began to understand that day is: receiving well is in itself a form of generosity. When I graciously express heartfelt gratitude for a gift, and share my appreciation for the time, effort, and thoughtfulness of the giver, I make a positive contribution of affirmation into her heart.

After D. left that day, I remember tearfully reading her inscription, and fingering the gilded pages. I felt incredibly honored, loved, and appreciated by D.’s gift.

Now, if it’s more blessed to give than receive, I wonder what D. felt as she walked home that afternoon? I pray she, too, felt honored, loved, and appreciated, even though my gratitude seemed paltry.

But surely the greater blessing came as God loved, honored, and appreciated D. for her gift.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for D.’s example, still strong after all these years. May I never miss an opportunity to be a blessing to others, whether I am the giver or the receiver.

* * * * * * * * * *

What lessons have you learned from the givers and receivers in your life? Tell us your story!

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts

From the Inside Out

Impressions Becoming Expressions

Archive for the ‘Generosity’ Category

Happiness

More Meaningful Mishaps–on the Keyboard

From Fame to Shame

Giving and Receiving

Nancy Ruegg

Follow Blog via Email

Recent Posts

Blogs I Follow

Categories

Archives