"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." -Hebrews 13:16

In the Bible, it says, "It's more blessed to give than to receive." That's what science finds, as well. What they find when they do the research is that a giver's health, immune system, functioning, and moods improve when life is about pouring oneself into the service of loved ones and communities and businesses and our God. It changes us. Our physiology changes because we're wired to give.

I learned the reality of this in a very personal way one morning. My oldest daughter was going off to preschool. She's 11 now. We had been talking about giving, and I said, "Olivia, let's try something. At preschool today, why don't you share something with one of your friends? See how it goes, and come back and we'll talk about it." Later on that day, I said to her, "So, how did it go?"

She said, "Well, I had a cookie and Suzie didn't have a cookie. So, I took mine, broke it in half, and gave it to her. That's what I did."

I said, "Livie, that's great! That's exactly what we're talking about." I thought, lesson learned; now we could move on.

Then she looked up at me with those eyes, pointed to her little chest, and she said, "Daddy, what is it in here? When I gave the cookie to my friend, it felt really warm inside here. What is that?"

I was about to lose it, and I said, "That's love, Livie. That's how God made us. When we're sharing, it changes how we feel inside."

(Excerpted from a recent message on the "Hour of Power.")

Prayer: Dear God, help me to give to others in the same generous way you give to me. Help me to love others with abundance as you have loved me. Amen.

Reflection: In what ways do you give to others? How does that make you feel?

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Prayer:

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Reflection:

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
-Hebrews 13:16