IT IS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE Allow me to be honest enough to say it was not always a pleasure to give. Yes, I was taught how to give and how to receive, I was taught how to say thanks, and give a kiss if the gifts were really nice. Because of what I learned, I began to react, the way that was expected of me, so I could fit into society. I never realized there was a giving from the inside, until the day I accepted love in my heart. Giving from within comes only after we have gotten in touch with the Father´s Grace. Other giving is not really giving. Realize it is the Giving of the Father that causes us walk upon this earth. It is the Spirit of Giving that caused mankind to be created with the same spirit of giving. I started off trying to get all I could from life, not give. I was born in the ghetto; everybody else would pay for it. Well I started running around at fifteen looking for a man that would take care of me, nothing to offer but youthfulness, which got old fast and abused much. When I turned thirty I was hard as stone, and more selfish. The amazing thing about it was somehow I had developed such a pattern of taking, that I no longer knew how to give. I would hurt people that gave me, because I thought they were weak and dumb. Or I blamed them for my conditions. I never really considered others feelings. This pattern continued in my life until I met my present husband. The man of my dreams stood in the middle of the front room, crying like a baby, his feelings hurt, because I attempted to make him leave my apartment and break off the relationship. He was such a handsome man, ten years younger, and filled with compassionate love towards me. HIS LOVE FOR ME WAS SO GREAT, THAT HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAILURES AND DETERMINED TO BE WITH ME. Today ten years later I am so thankful my husband knew how to give instead of taking. His great love showed me the way to true happiness indeed. I learned giving was the most precious gift mankind was given. With the spirit of giving operating in our heart, no one would ever be hurt. At forty-five I learned it was Jesus who said, it is better to give than receive. (Lk 6:38 and 12:48) At forty-eight I experience giving every day of my life. It is so wonderful being a giver that my physical body began renewing itself. The Spirit of Giving working within enlightens our spirit, and we began soaring. Giving gives you power to get the job done, and teach others how to do the job. Giving means giving when there is no one around to see your giving. Giving means genuinely desiring to help others better themselves. You will know when your giving is from God, because it won´t matter whether you receive credit or not. When you began to give those who don´t deserve, in the hopes of winning them to Christ; it will no longer be you in charge, but the Spirit of God. The Spirit that was sent to guide and teach you into all these trues. When you wish to help other as Mother Teresa did, you have entered the kingdom. Remember the only way the world will know we are Jesus´followers is by the love we have for each other. People measure love by what you give them. I am talking about giving love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and a shoulder to cry on. Being that friend that everyone needs to have. This is the work of a true follower of Christ. Everything that is not of this type of Love will not matter. Paul says even if you give all your material possessions and allow your body to be burned, it means nothing without the Love of God towards all mankind. When we look at the life of the Master, we find Him always surrounded by the multitude. People came from all over, because of His great Love. How many followers today, know or love their neighbor? How many people have you given love to, within the past month? When was the last time you heard the Still Small Voice, offering you a chance to give. I close by letting you know that giving should be as natural as breathing for a follower of Christ. Start giving today, and your life will begin today.