Article December 23, 1967 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from J.C. Penney, Theresa Stewart

J.C. Penney © Christian Herald, January, 1967 New York, New York

Children, I fear, are brought up today to think too much about "What shall I get for Christmas?" instead of "What shall I give?" But how can we expect our children to know and experience the joy of giving unless we teach them that the greater pleasure in life lies in giving rather than receiving? We cannot very well teach the art of giving unless we practice it.

The one great trouble with this old world today is not the acts of legislatures, but the want of a more friendly, kindly spirit. We have not learned how to give, many of us. We have wanted too much. The thought is—if I give, how is it going to benefit me? If we do learn how to give, then much of the world's discord, strife and unhappiness will be eliminated. But to give with the thought of getting will not help matters, for then giving becomes a matter of bookkeeping. However, to give to the uttermost, not of money alone, but of self, without any thought whatsoever of compensation, enables one to find real happiness, satisfaction and enjoyment.

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