Two-minute read.
A few months ago, a friend needed a babysitter for her four kids. Inviting them over for the day, they helped me plant my spring garden. Her three-year-old diligently filled a planter with dirt and her tiny shovel, her older sister helping, while the two boys planted strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. Afterward, we ate pizza and brownies I had made, before settling down to popcorn and a movie. They filled my heart with love that day, far more than the help I gave babysitting.
Paul quotes Jesus when he speaks to the elders in Ephesus. Reflecting on his own life of service, the apostle reminds them that following Jesus motivates us to serve others. “More blessed” carries a deeper kind of joy, a blessing that goes beyond momentary happiness. Like my memories of my day with the kids, I can’t think of it without smiling.
When we turn our natural thinking upside down, Jesus reveals that giving actually satisfies the heart in a way receiving cannot. When we give of our time, attention, encouragement, and resources, we will receive far more than we give. Living open-handed instead of close-fisted leads to a life of joy.
Generosity reflects God’s heart and shifts our focus from ourselves to others. Joy grows when we choose to pour out rather than hold back. Finding ways to serve others will fill your heart with unimaginable joy. Whether you mow your neighbor’s lawn or take a meal to someone in need, any act of service has eternal dividends that never end.
When we give, we don’t just meet a need; we create a connection that has joy and meaning. Jesus wants us to experience this type of blessing, one that makes the ordinary extraordinary and fills our hearts with a divine joy we can’t put into words.
Reflection:
Where is there an opportunity in your life right now to give—something simple, but meaningful?
Joy Thought:
Joy comes from what we give.
