Do you believe people are naturally selfish or generous most of the time? When we see the horrible things that people are capable of, it can easily chip away at how we view humanity. It can feel so overwhelming and shocking that it seems that selfishness is the stronger force in the world, but it is not.
Studies have shown that, by nature, human beings are more likely to be altruistic than selfish. Likewise, the wisdom of Kabbalah teaches that we each have a spark of the Creator within us, a force of endless sharing. There are a number of advantages that impact our lives when we tap into this part of ourselves. Generosity is not just a nice practice but something that is necessary for our long-term happiness and well-being.
Here are 3 spiritual benefits of generosity:
1. The more you give to others, the more you open yourself up to blessings from the Creator.
A beautiful paradox of the universe is that if you want to receive more from life, you need to give more. Having the greatest life possible requires us to pursue a life in service to others. The reason for this lies in the fact that the Creator is a force of sharing. The way to become connected to the source of all Light, blessings, and happiness is to behave like that force, which means seizing every opportunity to do good. That’s why it feels so good to give – in those moments, we come in contact with the source of all goodness.
It's important to think about our intentions when sharing. Reflecting on the fact that sharing is what makes us happy and brings more blessings into our lives allows our sharing to come from a healthy place.
2. By elevating yourself, you elevate those around you.
Not only do we have a choice to behave selfishly or altruistically, but we also have an opportunity to uplift others and help them become more generous versions of themselves. By elevating ourselves, we also elevate those around us. It’s not just about walking the walk and being the change we want to see in the world. It is our responsibility to help others live up to the better part of themselves.
Every time you do an act of sharing, think of the ripple effect that can have to inspire others to do the same. Ask yourself, “Where is my opportunity to uplift someone today?”
3. Every act of giving transforms you for the better.
People often think that giving requires a huge sacrifice on their part. We sometimes fear giving too much because we want to make sure we have enough for ourselves or don’t want to part with something meaningful to us. The truth is that even small acts of sharing have the ability to transform us in powerful ways. In fact, the wisdom of Kabbalah teaches that performing many small acts of generosity is more impactful than one large act. It is the act of giving that transforms us, so more acts mean more transformation.
It's true that sometimes we can overshare, give to the wrong people, or share from a place of victimhood. If you want to be a positive force of giving, get to know how to give to yourself in a healthy way, respect your desires and wishes, and have a connection with the Creator, and from that place, you will be directed in which ways to give.
Sharing and giving in any way that you can with any part of yourself feels good and does good. It connects you to the Creator, allowing blessings to come into your life so that you can grow and inspire others. It’s a way to view life and to change yourself in profound, positive ways.
