WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston S Churchill

Giving to those in need benefits yourself as much or more than it benefits those to whom you give.Whether it is to beggars, that widow with 4 children in your church, to orphanages or to small non-profit organizations, giving is an integral part of living.

There are millions of people in the world who are worse of than we are. Many of these people have problems that are not their fault or that are beyond their ability to prevent or change. Humans are a social animal and the best way for us to advance is by helping those who are unable to help themselves.We have a responsibility to care for other people, to help those less fortunate than ourselves.When we have some spare cash, time, clothing materials, foods and other items, it is an opportunity to help out.

Here are 5 good reasons why we should give:

It Promotes Personal Satisfaction:

Giving to other people makes you feel good. The feeling of satisfaction you get when you help someone else is hard to replicate with any other type of activity or endeavor. People who give feel happier, are less anxious and suffer less depression than those who don’t. Giving can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a giver can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

It Promotes Good Health:  

Better health is enjoyed by those who donate their time, expertise or money to others who are in need. Giving has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease. It is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who give, especially those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not

It Increases Prosperity:

There is this popular saying “The more you give, the more you receive”. Well, that is very true. A lot of people have testified that what they give out is often returned to them threefold, seven-fold, or even tenfold. This is backed by the words of God “There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered”- Proverbs 11-24:25. “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return”- Luke 6:38. When you give to others, your generosity is likely to be rewarded by others down the line—sometimes by the person you gave to, sometimes by someone else and ultimately, by God.

Giving is Contagious: 

I recall a time when I was chosen for a random giveaway online. I had arranged to meet with the giver after we had communicated anonymously online. When I saw this young lady, I was utterly shocked. I half expected a fully grown woman with a big car and a driver probably, but she alighted from a public bus and made her way towards me. The situation was very awkward for me because she was way younger than I was and was a student. Well, I was ashamed of myself for participating in the giveaway game as I really should have been a giver rather than a receiver. I was older than the young lady, I had a job and a car. What made the situation even worse was the fact that she took the pain to meet me at a convenient location I chose because I couldn't go too far from my office. Well, that experience changed something in me immediately. I resolved to be a giver rather than a receiver. If a girl who had so little could give, why couldn't I? When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community. Those of us who have spouses that have problems with buying gifts for their partners can attest to the fact that they eventually changed and began to reciprocate after we constantly bought gifts for them. Giving has such effects. It may help you build stronger social connections and even jump-start a cascade of generosity through your community.

It Promotes Social Connection: 

When we give to others, we don’t only make them feel closer to us; we also feel closer to them. Lyubomirsky wrote in her book The How of Happiness “Being kind and generous leads you to perceive others more positively and more charitably,” and this “fosters a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation in your social community.” Those who witness our giving are reminded that we are all interdependent on one another for our care and well-being. That reminder can have a viral effect and motivate countless others to follow your example and this makes our community a better place to live.