The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.” (Acts 20:35)

TO GIVE without expecting is not only a good deed, it is essential for the Christian soul and to the Christian way of life.

For an individual to assert themselves and assist in helping others where they see fit, this shows the kindness of a person’s heart.

A number of Bahamian believers told Tribune Religion they believed the act of giving knowing you will not get anything in return comes from a “blessed character” given to people by the lord.

Kayla, a member of the Catholic denomination, said it brings joy to her heart, knowing she can help someone else.

“I am not rich, but I make enough so that I can survive. I would like to think I have all that it is I need to survive, and what I do not have, God provides for me. He provides it for me every time I ask, not in my time, but his. It would be just selfish of me to keep it all to myself, knowing I can bless someone else. And what is the point of me giving something to someone and in the end expecting a reward for it?” said Kayla.

“All year round, I make it my business to visit a charity home and give clothing and shoes. I do this because I have too much, and there is no way I can wear all that I have. I have too much and there are people out there that don’t have anything to wear, or they have to settle for wearing one outfit for a week. Knowing I can help these people, brings joy to my heart and that is the greatest reward that I can receive ever in life. I feel good just by talking about it,” she said.

Quoting well known international poet and speaker, Maya Angelou, Michelle Wright said “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

“This is important because you are supposed to give from your heart. You give because you want to help people for unselfish reasons and not because you want to get something back,” said Ms Wright.

For Brandon, the act of giving is an “exclusive virtue” replete with a personal, internal reward that is nothing close to the feeling of receiving.

“The act of giving comes not from ego or pretence, but from a soulful place. The receipt of a gift is a luxurious surprise that should offer the person giving to you more a reward than you receive by accepting the gift,” said Brandon.

Felicia, another Christian said some people try to hold on tight to the things they have, forgetting one of the most important Christian principles, which is to give.

“Even some Christians fail to grasp the concept of giving, because what they do not understand is that the more you give, you set yourself up to be in a position to receive much more. If you are blessed with abundance, why hold onto it if there is someone else who needs the same thing you have in excess? It is even more so important to give because there may come a time in your life when you will be in need,” said Felicia.