Generosity, kindness will return to you in kind

A reader sent me a parable by an unknown author that coveys a great truth. Once, there was a farmer who grew awardwinning corn. Every year, he entered his corn in the state fair and won numerous awards and ribbons. One season, a newspaper reporter covered the event and interviewed the farmer.

“What do you do to grow such robust and healthy corn?” the reporter asked. The farmer replied, “Well, one thing I do is share the seeds with my neighbors.”

Continuing his questioning, the reporter queried, “Why do share your corn seeds with your neighbors? Aren’t your neighbors entering this competition, with their corn?” With confidence, the farmer said, “Maybe you weren’t aware, but the wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow poor corn, cross-pollination would degrade the quality of my own corn. So, if I want to grow the best corn, then I must help my neighbors grow the best corn, too.” Scripture says, “Give, and it will be given to you.

Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.

For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Life goes on, and day by day, we realize that we get back the same measure of what we put forth. Goodness breeds goodness; generosity brings about more generosity. A friend of mine is always mentoring others. When I asked him why he’s always willing to make someone’s life a bit easier, he replied, “My reward is when the recipient passes along the kindness.”

What do you really want for your future? God has a great plan for your life. And He is getting ready to give you the desires of your heart, so, “Look to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) “Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2) And keep on doing little kind deeds for people, remembering what Jesus said, “What you have done unto the least of these, my little ones, you have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40).

Right now, God is working in your behalf. Continue on in faith, and he will make remarkable things happen. He will help you in a way that only he can. So go out and make somebody else’s life better. And, soon, you too will be abundantly blessed. Compile a list of at least a dozen ways that you can be a blessing to people. Post the list on your refrigerator. Then, each day perform a few kind actions. • Offer prayers for others. • Do a good deed in secret.

• Mentor a young person.

• Give someone a positive push telling them, “You can achieve your dreams,” and “You have what it takes to be successful.”

• Encourage people, build them up, and challenge them to be the best they can be.

• Help a co-worker with a project.

• Tell your spouse, children and dear friend daily that they are loved, valued and appreciated.

• Offer compliments freely.

• If there’s a need in your community, give your time and energy to the cause.

• If a person you know is discouraged, share stories of how you prevailed over circumstances in your own life.