When you give with an open heart and you will not wait for an exchange nor a return from whoever you gave. Growing up, I saw how my parents helped my extended family in no return to the point that one time they can’t give anything because they don’t have any, and my relatives was disappointed with my parents because they always give what they have to the point that they’re nothing left. I grew up in a country area and my father had a small welding shop business I saw that we always have food in the table and we can still share it even with neighbors and extended family.
(This is my graduation last March 2007 with my loving parents #throwback)
Until, when I went to college our lives change everything. The business was so slow, and the price of the materials goes up rapidly to the point that my father business had no profit, and my parents had health issues. I worked as a working student while studying so I can support my bachelor’s degree and even to the point I worked another part time, so I can help my younger brothers. I told my parents I’m fine, instead they will give me my weekly allowance they will just give them to my younger brothers, so they can use it. I never know when I started to be a giver, but I realize I’m a giver since my childhood because I saw it with my parents.
I learn to give heartily even nothing was left for me, because I know God will always provide. I learn to sacrifice a lot because I know God has best plans for me and I always surrender it to Him. I learn to trust more to Him all the times and surrender my struggles and my family struggles. I learn to be strong because of God and my parents, I learn to be humble, understanding and more patience and to wait for the perfect time.
And when time comes, I graduated my bachelors and started working, I helped my family and younger brother and I will say I give 85% of my income and 15% left for myself or sometimes its only 10% left for me. I don’t know how I survive for the past 8 years but I know God always keep His Promises and He always stand beside you. And I even the perfect time comes my giving doesn’t stop it continues and God continues to give me more blessings, so I can help more to my family and others. Yes, giving its an art when your generous you easily can forgive people that hurt you. Were not rich materially but it does not matter, were rich inside and my family’s heart is big. And I believe as well that the more you give the more you receive.
And I love these verses:
Proverbs 3:9
Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
(This was a picture taken on the graduation of my younger brother in the middle Jojil who graduated Bachelor's in Science In Marine Engineering in April 2014 #throwback)