by Contributor
(Dec. 7, 2021) — The only time God says to test him is in regards to giving. “Test me now in this… if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Malachi 3:10)
If you want to show your appreciation for what God has done for us, then help others. The Bible says, “… It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) It’s always good to give back and do something nice for the less fortunate, and it will make you feel much better too. Even if it’s just a small act of kindness for someone, don’t underestimate how powerful one person can be in another person’s life.
A Real-Life Example
Alan Barnhart and his new bride graduated college and were packed for the mission field. His father said he was retiring and would sell his small business unless Alan wanted to take it over.
The newlyweds decided to stay but wanted to set up some ground rules for the business. They would take a reasonable salary, and half the profits would be God’s, and the other half would reinvest into growth.
They decided that their salary should be $160,000 a year, then drop to $100,000 once their kids left home. The company of 10 employees grew to 1,200. Revenue is over $400,000,000 a year. They give over $1 million per month to help the poor around the world. You can see their story at GenerousGiving.org.
Do the Right Things For the Right Reasons
God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:8). God wants us to give for the joy of giving, not the ROI. Give to what you are passionate about, and that excitement becomes contagious.
We see blessings reversed when hearts change. A good example of this is Tom’s shoes. They donated a pair to someone without shoes for every pair they sold. Typically to third-world kids. Tom’s grew rapidly to a value of $600 million. The founders retired and sold to a private equity firm that did not share their passion. Sales began to decline. The private equity firm went from donating shoes to a percentage of profits donated to causes they thought young buyers might be interested in, like gun violence. The insincerity became obvious, and the blessings dwindled.
You’ll Experience More Joy
Marc Zboch asks us to think back to all the generous givers we have known in our lifetimes. “They were probably also the happiest people you have known,” he says.
Studies have found that those who donated to charity had more happiness and less anxiety than those who didn’t. And the benefits were immediate. The act of giving itself is enough to make you happier. It doesn’t take much either; donating even $5 per month will reap these rewards.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God can make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). God loves those who give to see the joy it brings to others, and he will sow joy in the giver bountifully.
Customers Want to Join You
Don’t ask customers to donate, but allow part of their purchase to go towards helping others. If it’s a good cause, they will donate themselves.
Tie the purchase to something tangible if you can. For example… for certain products or sales amounts, you could plant a fruit tree in a deforested country; purchase a school uniform that will allow an AIDs orphan to go to school; or provide a meal for a disaster-ravaged family.
Customers of Barnhart Crane feel good to be a part of their international missionary work. They’re also more likely to become repeat customers. You’ll strengthen business relationships and generate goodwill. The Bible says, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully”(2 Corinthians 9:6).
You’ll Increase Employee Morale
When employers give back to the community, they’re helping others and building a better workforce. Research shows that when employees believe their company gives back somehow, they become emotionally invested in seeing it succeed.
This emotional investment, in turn, makes employees feel more satisfied and engaged with their work. They become more productive and less likely to quit their jobs – which means improved retention rates for companies. Employees are also better able to build relationships with clients and peers, improving the bottom line as a whole.
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).
This is relevant because it highlights that when employers give back to the community, they’re not just creating a better workforce for themselves but also blessing their employees who are more engaged in their work.
Final Thoughts
Marc Zboch believes that all resources are gifts from God. “We must look like little kids fighting over our toys to him.”
He uses people with generous hearts to answer prayers and bless people. You can be a part of this great adventure if you stay open to the giving opportunities around you.