When you’re generous with others, you’ll find life being generous to you.
If you’re selfish with others, life generally feels like it’s being selfish back to you.
Live generously! It’s the happier, more bountiful way to live.
Live generously
December 12, 2024 | 20 comments
Reminds me of the saying ” You can’t receive with a closed fist”
That’s very appropriate, Max. Thank you.
The picture is very good too, Evan, for this topic,
which is very relevant at this time of the year. .All things have to fit
together harmoniously in God’s kingdom,, and in the picture, everyone
is offering a different piece, or thought, to bring to light the complete
and perfect picture.
Generosity is so beguiling. Matthew 25:29 can be puzzling until you translate it into metaphysical language: “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”
If we have generosity, we will be given more generosity to experience ourselves and be able to give even more to others. If we are not generous, we probably won’t experience it ourselves.
It’s fun to think of ways to be generous.
Lindajane thanks for sharing that verse. Yes you’re right, it can seem confusing if read in a mortal way. We can also translate it as, Every one that hath a spiritual expansive view of Life (our natural and correct view) will receive our God-given, unlimited abundance; But for him that is looking only at the surface of things, only at limitation (error’s view) he will only see more lack and limitation.
I’m praying to see more from the expansive view, hoping to “catch the spirit” of this loving season. Working part-time in retail, I notice my thought can get cynical, kind of Scrooge-like and uninspired, feeling it’s just about business and selling. But I know it is so much more, I pray to have my heart melted by God’s Love (which is my/our divine right).
Sending love to all of you in this dear community.
Thank you Lindajane and Rose for your explanations of Matt:25:29. I’ve never understood it before. And thank you, Evan, for the gift of Spiritview. Your generosity is much appreciated! And lately I’ve been coming across your articles in the Sentinel ie “Eternal Life is now”
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/7e7ufezed6?s=copylink
and “Living under Gods government”
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/15uxqv6qaam?s=copylink
Both were so helpful. You express metaphysical ideas so clearly. Thank you!!
Thanks for the articles and responding. I always read the articles posted here.
Enlightening explanation of a difficult verse, thanks for sharing!
Hi Rose – ooh, I hadn’t thought of that more expansive view. I did think of it thru qualities in addition to generosity. If we express joy, things to be joyous about and joy will be reflected back to us from us. But it’s great to think of it in more expansive terms seeing the reality and totality of the spiritual universe.
When I worked in a restaurant as a hostess at my favorite restaurant some years ago I remembered how going to that restaurant was the highlight of the month. Working there I’d see all kinds of celebrations: baby showers, first dates (it’s where my husband and I had our blind date years before), anniversaries, birthdays, date nights etc. As I never had a lot of money, shopping for family and friends was very meaningful as I really tried to think of something which would meet their needs or please them. It might be the only gift I bought them all year. It was one way of expressing love as I’d consider their essence, their favorite colors, what I loved about them. So, thinking of shopping in that way for some people might help. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Lindajane, you are very welcome. It was you who sparked the conversation with your insightful interpretation of the bible verse, thanks for helping expand my thought.
And yes you are also bringing out a good point about the special occasions and life situations I hear about from my customers who are shopping for themselves or for others. I meet many fascinating people from all over the world in the store and I enjoy this, it is a major department store in a large city, so a big tourist destination, especially at this time of year. I do learn many spiritual lessons there (as long as I keep thought clear and in right paths, and not let it drift in mortal directions).
Thank you for these generous words of spirit wisdom. Sometimes we wish to
share, but find it difficult finding a way due to financial reasons or other
circumstances we can not seem to understand or beyond our control.. But to
give of ourselves …. our true identity of God’s Love – Thoughts that bring joy to
others, is a worthy goal.
This time of year, especially, even if in just words of encouragement to someone,
a smile, a thought gift to the mailman, FedEx delivery person, fuel oil driver, car
mechanic and staff – these gestures of kindness and sharing and appreciation often
go a long way. When I used to visit my friend in the nursing home, her friend used
to act like I gave her a million dollars, when I would buy her a favorite of hers – a
simple bag of marshmallows. Yesterday in patronizing a local business, the cashier
was exceptionally friendly after showing her some pictures…. These little thoughts
of genuine kindness often bring Us so much joy and the saying, “it is better to give
than receive” certainly is true.
I love the thought of “living generously”. It expands upon simple acts of giving, which are important, but part of the grander idea of a life that gives. Thank you Evan! Here’s a link to a Sentinel Watch podcast on this topic (with Kevin Ness, Nov 25, 2924): https://sentinel.christianscience.com/sentinel-audio/sentinel-watch/the-fulfilling-effects-of-gratitude?
Apropos of the picture’s clear message—-“Love’s work and Love must fit.” CS Hymn # 51
thank you to the loving thoughts….the pieces of heart adding Gods tender kindness ..The Book Club comes to my home this Sunday. ..it has been an important gathering of women living on a remote island, and Christian Science is weaning me from being consumed by novels that rehearse the mortal fiction….with the goodness of heart and with Christmas tidings celebrating Spirit, ..to bring, Mrs. Eddy, Science and Health to the table….if even a small morsel of understanding,..the Goodwill..is the will of God…generous, wholesome, the manna from heaven, dawns immeasurable selflessness, this brilliant revelation, ..In God we trust… The prison walls of mortality, fall… ..
.they are falling..
Thank you!. The power of prayer from the Mother Church, the international resonance….of Churches and members…Holding steadfast. to the Truth is quietly heard.this Holy Night
From our bible lesson this week…’’when we realise that there is only one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbour as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns. Selfishness tips the beam of human existence towards the side of error, not towards Truth.’’ S &H pg 205
Such clarity about the effect of abundant Love from Mrs Eddy.
Thank you Evan❣️
Thank you very much, Evan for this topic on GIVING. I just listened to the Podcast with Kevin Ness, Nancy sent us here. It is more a wonderful Podcast about Gratitude. However if one is really very grateful for all Good, God is giving us, we also are prepared to give abundantly wholeheartedly!
Dear Nancy, thank you very much indeed for giving us the link to this helpful Podcast! It’s very worth listening to!♡
I have always thought of myself as a generous person as I donate to several charities even though I am retired and on a fixed budget.However, you should be aware as some will take advantage of you. I just walked out of the restaurant and was approached by a young lady who asked if I could spare a few dollars. I looked about 30’behind her and noticed a young man with two back packs. I said no. she went her way and I went my way. Within a few minutes later I had a guilt feeling. How do you deal with that ?
Hi Tom, In this case you shouldn’t feel guilty atall, particularly as that was a few minutes ago.
You just can know as God’s child she is cared for by God who will give her what she really needs.
Just give the situation to God, he will care for justice for all and He knows what everybody needs.
I agree with you, Uta, in what you have written. Sadly, there seems to be
evil propensities out there that try to take advantage of those unaware
and I believe C S also stands for Common Sense. We need to stand
porter at our door of thought, not allowing any thing or any one that would
try to harm or get our thought away from the One and only Mind. The tree
of good and evil – so relevant today as it always was. Nothing can destroy
the power and control that God alone guards and guides us with. mortal
mind has all sorts of ways to try to tempt us into believing it is in control.
Many minds thinking in the same way does not make things right. Thought
is only as correct as the Creator and who are we believing is the creator?
God or man? Good or bad? It can not be both. God’s creation can never
lose power, be destroyed or ended. Man – mortal is limited in matter. It
can be corrupted and lean in one direction or can be both good And evil …
good and bad. The Adam dream, which has a beginning and an end. imho
Thank you very much , Angel for your so true words! I also agree with your wonderful inspired comment!
As usual, Mrs. Eddy shared these apropos words of wisdom.
Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 79:31–32)