Article June 2, 1928 Issue

The Joy of Giving

FLORENCE P. ATWOOD

God is always giving. And Paul tells us that God has given us the spirit "of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God also gives life, truth, health, holiness, peace, joy, understanding, wisdom, intelligence, rest, and strength. Then, too, God satisfies, giving grace and honor. It is even His good pleasure to give us the kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. Could giving be more generous than that? As all good comes from God, it is He who has given us all the good we have.

Since man perpetually reflects God, we too can always be giving. What can we give to Him in return, to Him who has so richly blessed us? We can always give praise. Paul and Silas, when in prison at midnight with their feet fast in the stocks, sang praises to God. They did not say, Oh, see where error has put us! Instead, they sang! The understanding which prompted such gratitude and thankfulness as theirs was potent to shake the foundation of the prison and to loose their bonds. Have we, when in trouble, thus sung hymns until the foundation of the error was shaken and our bonds were loosed? Christian Scientists can always give thanks to their Father-Mother God for protection and unfailing love. What blessings come to them when they spend some time each day thanking Him for His goodness to them and to all mankind!

One may say, I am so poor I have nothing to give. We should take comfort in remembering that everyone who can think truly can give. Nobody is so poor that he cannot give a loving thought or a cheery greeting. We are never too busy to give a pleasant smile. Such a little thing to give! And yet, with love and joy behind it we may put sunshine into somebody's day. Who knows what comfort may be wrought by only a little love reflected? One who was very low financially, and who had just been healed of the drink habit, was wondering what he had to give. The thought came to him, You can give a testimony of healing. He obeyed, and soon afterward obtained a position.

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