How Giving Impacts Success

Let’s discuss success first. What does success look like to you? Is it your job title, or the size of your house or bank account, or is it having the ability to be generous to others?

If you believe that happiness and joy define success for you in your life, then giving plays a huge role in your success. If you believe that connection with other people and even love define success in your life, then giving plays a huge role in your success. If your definition of success is primarily helping others less fortunate than yourself, no matter where you are on the financial scale, then giving plays a huge role in your success. 

Why? You might ask.

Simple: 

Proverbs 11:25 says:

A generous person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

2 Corinthians 9:6 says:

“Remember this: 

Whoever sows sparingly 

will also reap sparingly,

and whoever sows generously 

will also reap generously.” NIV

 As you know, to sow is to plant. When a farmer or gardener plants seeds in the ground, the amount of seeds they plant determines the size of the harvest they will get. If you want more, you plant more. 

The same principal applies for sowing (giving) financially to others. The amount that you give (ungrudgingly) determines the amount you will receive. You can expect a larger financial harvest when you have planted (given) accordingly. 

So, this covers the wealth side of it. Next, let’s discuss the impact giving has on us as individuals.

People who are generous tend to have higher self-esteem, better health, are happier and have a stronger sense of purpose. The overall experience for the cheerful giver is abundant in every way: financially, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Why is this the case?

Gratitude.

Passion.

Faith.

And because you are meeting at least four of your six basic human needs. 

Most of the time, givers are generous because they have gratitude. They are grateful for what they have and they have a passion to help others. They have faith that in helping others they have made a difference in that person’s life, maybe even in the world.

There are many instances where the act of “Paying It Forward” has impacted someone’s life, and sometimes many lives. 

The same is true when you give of yourself, your time, your expertise, your advice, your experiences, listening to a friend, doing small thoughtful gestures, and so on. There are so many needs that people have and there are so many ways for us to give!

Giving may seem like a sacrifice.

Until you do it.

Then, usually, what seemed to be a sacrifice for you at the time actually ends up being a blessing in disguise for you! When you receive more out of the giving than the person who is receiving. 

It’s a strange reality, but in truth, God’s ways are higher than our ways, His understanding far deeper than ours could ever be so, really it’s not so strange after all. 

However, one of the reasons this is true (and with God there can be many more), but one thing is for sure: when you give to others in need it meets some of your basic human needs, and when these needs are met you feel successful, happy, and it brings joy into your life.  

If you are a cheerful giver, someone who helps others in their time of need or those less fortunate than yourself, then that means that you are meeting at least four of your six basic human needs which are: 

• 1.) The need to feel significant or to feel needed, 
• 2.) The need for connection and / or love, 
• 3.) The need to contribute,
• 4.) And the need for Growth. 

What do you think? Do you believe that Giving Impacts Success? I'd love to know! 





***Credit to Paying It Forward through the movie.
Pay It Forward (2000) Official Trailer - Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt Movie HD https://youtu.be/TlZDDACt8Nw

***Credit to Tony Robbins for the Six Basic Human Needs. 
Tony Robbins - Why We Do What We Do  - Uploaded on Jan. 16, 2007 
https://youtu.be/Cpc-t-Uwv1I