The world is in a continuous state ofcirculation and flow. Whether it is the water cycle, the breathing cycle or the changing of the seasons, everything is in constant motion.
Giving and receiving is similar – they work together. In order to give, there must be a receiver.Giving is about outflow and receiving is about inflow.
The most important thing about giving and receiving is your intention behind it.
The Gift of Giving
In his book Give and Take, Adam Grant refers to a variety of research and ideas to help people succeed and build relationships.According to Grant there are three types of people – the taker, the matcher and the giver. Simply, they are –
- Takers – are always trying to get as much as possible from others,
- Matchers – who if they did you a favour, would expect one back (and vice versa), and
- Givers – go out of their way to support and help you, with no strings attached.
Another way of looking at giving is by–
- Giving unconditionally – no strings attached and from the heart,
- Giving to receive – giving to receivesomething back in return, and
- Giving to gain – giving to gain something.
How do you tell what type of giving you are doing?
Simple – identify why you are giving!
It took me a while to really understand the different typesof givingand why I was giving. However, once I started to reflect and understand why I was giving and how I was feeling when I gave, I started to adjustmy thoughts and behaviours accordingly. I am also practising to giveand not tell anybody about it(which is lots of fun and something I learnt from Mother Theresa).Another thing I have learnt is– if you feel as though you have lost something through giving, then that is not truly giving.
Practising Giving
The simplest way to practice giving is any time you come in to contact with someone, give them something. How, you might ask?
There are many ways to give and giving doesn’t have to cost money. Some examples of giving that do not cost moneyinclude giving –
- a compliment,
- a flower,
- kindness,
- thanks,
- a message,
- a note, and
- paying attention to someone.
The Gift of Receiving
If you are anything like me, receiving can feel uncomfortable. However, every giver needs a receiver.
There are many ways we can open up to receive each day. Some of theways you receive the gifts of nature include –
- sunlight,
- water to drink,
- the air we breath, and
- the sound of the birds singing.
Other thingswe can receive include–
- compliments,
- gifts,
- attention,
- flowers,
- cards, and
- thank you’s.
What other things can you receive?
If You Want…
If you have been reading my journal for a while, you will know I love quotes. One of the quotes that resonates with me around giving is byZig Ziglar. He has been quoted as saying –“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
So…
- If you want joy, give joy to other people,
- If you want attention, give attention to other people,
- If you want appreciation, give appreciation to other people,
- If you want peace, give peace to other people,
- If you want to be materially affluent, help other people to become materially affluent, and
- If you want love, give love to other people.
Over to You…
As you are going through your day today, ask yourself “What can you give to other people?”As you do this, observe what gifts you receive.
Feel free to share your responses below!
If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take thenextstep towards your freedom and opening your heart,why not joinourToolkit?
Reference –
Grant, A. (2013). Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success. USA: Penguin.
FAQs
The first act of giving establishes the virtues of the gift giver. They express their generosity, kindness and honor. The act of receiving the gift, in turn, shows a person's willingness to be honored. This is a way for the receiver to show their own generosity, that they are willing to accept what was offered to them.
What is the energy of giving and receiving? ›
There is a Universal Law of Giving (and Receiving), which suggests that there is a constant and dynamic exchange of energy. The more we give, the more we receive. And it is in our willingness to give that which we seek, that we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.
What does the Bible say about the gift of giving? ›
Psychologists refer to this as the “helper's high.” The Bible tells us there is actually a spiritual gift of giving: “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously” (Romans 12:8 NLT).
What is the meaning of the gift of giving? ›
Definition: The spiritual gift of giving is a special ability given by the Holy Spirit to individuals within the church. Those with this gift have a unique desire and capacity to generously contribute their resources, time, and talents for the support of God's work, both within the church and to aid those in need.
What does the Bible say about giving and receiving gifts? ›
Acts 20:32-35
You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Why is giving and receiving gifts important? ›
The acts of giving and receiving gifts activate core areas of the brain associated with reward and pleasure, says associate professor Jessica Andrews-Hanna. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us and part of the holiday cheer revolves around exchanging gifts.
What is the true Spirit of giving? ›
The true spirit of giving is the true nature of human beings. Love. Giving to others encompasses and uses all parts of ourselves including our head, our heart and hands to make a positive difference in our world. The secret key to the true spirit of giving – no expectation of anything in return.
What is the spiritual power of giving? ›
Giving is the spiritual principle for prosperity that unlocks an experience of God's grace for our prosperity. Giving shows your faith and your total dependence on God for your prosperity.
What is an example of giving and receiving? ›
Nature provides perfect examples of this dynamic exchange of giving and receiving that is necessary for the flow of life. You receive the gift of oxygen from trees, and you give them carbon dioxide. Insects receive nectar from flowers, and they give the gift of pollination.
What is a powerful verse about giving? ›
2 Corinthians 9:6: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Institute for Basic Life Studies lists the characteristics of a person with the spiritual gift of giving as: Givers particularly enjoy preventing waste by exercising wisdom and accountability. A giver gets joy by finding less costly ways to do things, whether the cost is measured in time, money, or energy.
What are the four types of giving? ›
4 Types of Giving in The Bible
- Tithes. Tithes are a type of giving in the Bible that entails offering a tenth of one's income or produce to God. ...
- First Fruit. The first fruit is the initial part of a crop, or other produce set apart and given to God, according to the Bible. ...
- Alms. ...
- Seed.
Gift-giving has its roots in pagan rituals held during the winter. When Christianity folded these rituals into Christmas, the justification for bearing gifts was redirected to the Three Wise Men, the Magi, who gave gifts to the infant Jesus. But in early modern Europe, it also had its roots in Christmas begging.
What is the gift given by God? ›
Throughout his letters, Paul mentions several spiritual gifts, including wisdom, faith, discernment, teaching, administration, service, mercy, hospitality, and encouragement. (See 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Romans 12:3-8; and Ephesians 4:11.)
What is an example of gift-giving in the Bible? ›
King David poured out gifts from the national treasury and then from his personal reserves. A poor widow gave everything she had. A woman prepared a room for a traveling prophet. A group of poor Macedonians gave more than they dreamed they could.
What is the meaning of giving is receiving? ›
Giving is receiving: You will benefit yourself, as well as others, by being generous. One of the unexpected by-products of generosity, perhaps surprisingly, is that the giver receives benefits from giving along with the recipient of the gift. Sponsored by Mindful Money March 10, 2021, 1:52 p.m.
What are the 5 rules of gift giving? ›
In the five gift rule, the first four gifts are pretty straightforward - something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Then, the last gift is where you can really have fun. The fifth gift is something they didn't know they wanted.
What does Jesus say about receiving gifts? ›
Acts 20:35 says a person is more blessed by giving. But in order for this to happen, someone must be willing to be blessed by receiving. We dare not conclude from this verse that gracious giving is somehow nobler than gracious receiving. There are two sides of the very same coin.
