When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God. – Leviticus 23: 22

In my second year of teaching 4th grade, I asked my students to write an essay on what they wanted to be when they grew up.

The responses varied and many of the essays were very cute and funny. Several students wanted to be famous singers. Some wanted to play professional sports. And some wanted to be veterinarians.

However, there was one student, Chris, who wanted to be a doctor so that he could go to poor countries and give people free healthcare.

When I read his essay, my heart melted.

Chris wanted to attend school and be a person of great means, but he wanted to save some of the harvest of his education to help those who could not afford to help themselves.

He was only 9 years old, but he was already living a life that was pleasing to God.

God wants to bless us so that we can live in abundance. But I think He’s more pleased with us when we have the heart to bless others.

So when you get your next paycheck, before you buy clothes, furniture, or a new gadget, set some of it aside to give to someone in need:

• Give tithes/offerings to your church so it will have more resources to help the poor
• Give to a friend who you know is struggling
• Give to a charity or foundation

Studies have shown that acts of kindness, like giving to others, can elevate mood and potentially lengthen your life and slow the aging process.

This just shows that God is so good that even when we give things away, He makes it so that we’re blessed by it.

He is the Lord our God who loves us. And all He wants from us is to reflect His love for us onto others.

Be blessed,

Alexia