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The Spirit of Giving—in Ways That CountAwake!—1974 | December 22
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GIVING has delighted multitudes of people. Time and again the words of Jesus Christ have proved true: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35.
You have probably experienced that special happiness many times. Have you noticed, though, that much of today’s giving does not result in joy? Why is this so? Frequently it is because people feel pressured into giving.
Innumerable persons and organizations today clamor for financial and other types of aid. Perhaps you personally have been the target of solicitations at your door, through the mail or by telephone, urging you to “give.” There is a slogan: “Give until it hurts”; and often it does.
“Christmas Depression”—Why?
Consider what happens during the Christmas season. Here is a time when much stress is placed upon giving. Newspapers and catalogs bulge with advertisements. Radio and TV commercials dangle before the public a dazzling variety of things that can serve as “the perfect gift.” People respond by buying and sending out millions of dollars’ worth of gifts.
One might expect that a season that lays so much stress on giving would be a time of special joy. But often it is just the opposite. The Seattle Times of December 25, 1973, carried the following dispatch from the Associated Press:
“If you get pangs of sadness at Christmastime, you’re not alone. In fact, psychologists find that the holiday of accentuated ‘joy’ often has just the reverse effect on many people.
“‘Christmas depression,’ it’s called.”
Why is this true? Could a reason be that there is something wrong with the spirit of giving at Christmastime?
Certainly there are many who give gifts at Christmas in a true spirit of generosity; and they enjoy it. Have you noticed, though, that much of what takes place during this season is not really giving, but merely the exchanging of gifts? Do not many people feel obligated to make up “lists” of relatives, friends and acquaintances? They know that these people will give them presents and will be expecting something in return. A feeling of compulsion takes away much of the joy of giving. And the financial and emotional drain of “Christmas shopping” takes another big toll.
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The Spirit of Giving—in Ways That CountAwake!—1974 | December 22
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A Better Spirit of Giving
This does not mean, however, that the Bible frowns upon giving gifts. On the contrary, Jehovah God, who “gives to all persons life and breath and all things,” sets the perfect example of unselfish giving. (Acts 17:25) Christians, in imitation of God, must “practice giving.” (Luke 6:38; Eph. 5:1) How can they do this in ways that really count?
Jehovah’s gracious gifts to man, including that of his only-begotten Son for man’s salvation, are motivated by love, not by any feeling of compulsion. (John 3:16) The apostle Paul counseled Christians to show a similar spirit when giving, saying: “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Cor. 9:7.
Should generosity be limited to certain days of the year? Should it focus principally on close relatives and friends? Note Jesus’ words about God in the famous Sermon on the Mount: “He makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have?” (Matt. 5:44-46) Does God limit the rotation of the earth that results in sunrise and sunset to certain days each year? Does his earth provide sustenance only for those whom he “likes”?
Clearly, the Christian spirit of giving must extend beyond the circle of one’s family and friends; and it must be practiced from day to day, not just at certain times of the year. How much better this is than the once-a-year, synthetic “Christmas spirit”! It becomes possible to enjoy many opportunities throughout the year for delighting persons with presents that they did not expect. Since it is not a matter of exchange, a person does not feel “shortchanged” if he does not receive a gift. And any necessary shopping can be done with a single individual in mind and at a time when stores are less crowded.
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The Spirit of Giving—in Ways That CountAwake!—1974 | December 22
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The truly Christian spirit of giving includes what is mentioned at Hebrews 13:16: “Moreover, do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Do you own an automobile? Likely you know persons who would be overjoyed at an occasional offer of transportation somewhere or of a pleasant ride in the country. Perhaps you know someone who seems to be “working around the clock” to complete some needed household repairs or other necessary work. Would he not appreciate the offer of a helping hand? And what about running an errand for someone elderly or infirm? Simply offering to share your possessions or skills can lift another’s spirits, and yours too.
Time is another resource that you can share with others. Do you know persons who suffer from loneliness, or who have been bereaved in some way? Paying such persons a visit and lending a sympathetic ear to their problems may do a world of good, and it costs you nothing.
Value of Spiritual Giving
Jesus Christ pointed to the most important of human needs when he said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, . . . Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.” (Matt. 5:3, 6) Jesus recognized man’s need for spiritual things as most important and he devoted his earthly life to caring for this need of his hearers, teaching them the truth about God. He instructed his followers to do the same thing. Could you share in this sort of giving, sharing with others what you have learned from God’s Word?—Matt. 10:5-7; Luke 10:1-9; Matt. 28:19, 20.
Today millions of persons throughout the earth are gaining Bible knowledge that God has made available without cost. (Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17) Jehovah’s witnesses delight in giving time and energy to help interested people to study the Word of God. How satisfying this work is! It gives people real purpose in life, hope for the future and infallible principles for happy living!
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