Are you a giving person? Are you a generous person? You may think that you’re giving but giving once or twice a year does not make you a giving person. Being giving and generous are two completely different things. Giving a lot when you can is wonderful, but do you know what it’s like to give when you feel like you’re struggling yourself?

Do you know how rich you are? Do you know how blessed you are? Half the world lives on $2-3 a day. If you own a car, you are considered in the top 6-9% of the wealthiest people in the entire world. As reported in Inequality.org, Adults with less than 2% in wealth account for 64% of the world’s population but hold less than 2% of the global wealth. Do you ever go to your closet full of clothes thinking “I have nothing to wear”? Do you know a lot of people can’t even afford to buy new clothes? Do you know that your walk-in closet may be bigger than somebody else’s home? Does your car have a heating option? Does your home have running water and a cooling system? Does your kitchen have a fridge that can keep your food cold and a microwave to warm it up when you’re ready to eat it? Do you have clean water readily available? According to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Databook, Americans range 4th in household wages worldwide and 25th in median wealth.

With the holiday approaching, I challenge you to open your heart and help another person in need. Whether it be monetary or simply your time. There are so many ways you can help. You can volunteer to help pack food at your local food shelter, help your church organize I canned food drive, or you can spend some time at the children’s hospital reading children books.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.

If you’d like to hear where my inspiration behind this post came from, take some time to listen or watch this beautiful message by Elevation Church’s guest Pastor Craig Groeschel’s “Break the Cycle”. Even if you aren’t a believer, the message was strong and was such a great reminder to be thankful for what I have. On top of that, it reminded me of how blessed I am, blessed enough to be able to help others. Giving feels so good. So, if you’re sad, give. If, you’re happy, give some more. It's nice to be nice and we need more of that in the world.

Let me know your ideas on how we can help others down in the comments.

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NLT