The more you give

I wrote recently about finding "Gloria" and how that changed my day.

Looking back, it did more than that. It changed me.  It helped me.  I wish I could find the people that I met that day, and tell them how they, by letting me help them that day, made a difference in MY life.  I'm sure they left that day thinking how I made a difference in theirs, but it was my heart that changed.

The more you give, the more you receive. By helping this couple, I found more 'glory' in my heart. I found love, compassion.  I received peace and joy.

Did I intend to receive and find anything? No, but that's how it happens. If you give in ORDER to receive, you will not get the full abundance of joy and peace, if any.  I've shared the story of finding Gloria that day, in a day where I needed it. I don't share that story in order to lift myself up of being a do-gooder.  I share it so that others might do the same thing and feel that warmth that you get back.  I make it clear that I did it with no intention of receiving thanks from the elderly couple, or anyone else.  I didn't want them even to know it was me. But God had other plans.  By finding out the woman's name was Gloria fulfilled His plan for me for that day, and the days since.

I wrote this post, and then did a search for some Bible verses. Apparently, at some point in my life, I've read or heard this part of Scripture, but I didn't recall it; thank you Lord, praise you Jesus, bless you Spirit, for showing me to live it.

2 Corinthians 9:5-15

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.
6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
    his righteousness[b] endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.[c] 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!