The Lasting Joy That Comes from Giving to Help Others

Day 9

I talk to people every day that are fearful and worried as we wade through this economic mess in the year 2009. It’s sad to see a great nation like the United States brought to its knees but more even more so, it makes me sad to see the long faces and the anxiety of the individuals, the fathers and mothers, employers and employees, small business owners and church members that have put their faith in the prosperity of our country. The Lord has truly blessed us. But now, for the first time for many families, I see them struggling almost in amazement that this could happen when life had been so good for so long. Most of us never imagined that everything that had always seemed so stable could change so quickly and so drastically. The things of this world truly do pass away.

But at the same time, it warms my heart to see people that have less than they ever had before, looking for ways to give generously to help others. Proverbs 11:25 says that “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Our Sunday school class has a ministry we call AllThingsPossible1926 and we have a blog you can follow at www.AllThingsPossible1926.blogspot.com. We had a yard sale this year and raised $2000 to help the needy by selling donated items. The parking lot was full of people. We had homemade ice cream and baked goods for sale. But more importantly we had such a good time of fellowship and everyone forgot about their own concerns for that moment in time. I had the opportunity to see families working together, being refreshed like never before. But not by the passing pleasure of buying things but by the lasting joy that comes from giving to help others. I hope you are refreshed today.