Giving is Better than Receiving

My Father-in-Law told us the other day how the Salvation Army was started by William Booth originally to preach among the “unchurched” people, and he and his wife were also involved in helping the homeless and alcoholics (want to know more? Click HERE). When he told us the story, I realized that I had never heard this before. All these years I have seen the red buckets and heard the bells ringing and had never really asked about the background. Why hadn’t I ever asked before? When I was little, it was one of those things that seemed to just be a part of the Holiday season and I knew they helped people, but now it is a part of what makes me realize that giving is better than receiving. I really enjoy helping others by dropping money into the red buckets. I am one of those people that, as often as possible, stops and digs out what I can from my purse to put in the red bucket. However, lately I have found that more often than not, I do not have any money on me. I purchase so much by debit or credit that it is a rarity that I would have any cash on me. When such an instance happens, and I have to pass the bell ringer at the door of the mall as I leave with my many bags of Christmas presents for family, I feel very guilty.

I love buying gifts at Christmas time. I love trying to find the perfect gift for those I care about and I love to see how much they enjoy it when I give it to them. I am one of those people who probably over exaggerate my excitement when I receive a gift because I want the gift giver to know that I not only enjoy the gift, but truly appreciate the time and effort they have put into purchasing the gift. Anyway, I am rambling, but I guess that I am realizing more and more as I get older how much it really is better to give than to receive.