“We Rise by Lifting Others”: Life and the Transformative Blessings of Giving
By Oluwole Solanke (PhD, FCIB)
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
In a world often fixated on getting, achieving, and hoarding, the quiet power of giving remains one of life’s most profound secrets. Giving—be it our time, resources, love, or simple acts of kindness—is not just an act of charity; it is a life-giving force that heals, uplifts, and connects.
The Heart of Giving: More Than Material Things
Giving is not confined to money or possessions. A listening ear to someone in pain, a word of encouragement to someone on the edge, a smile to a stranger in despair—these are priceless gifts. As Maya Angelou beautifully said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, forget what you did, but never forget how you made them feel.”
Life becomes richer not when we gather more, but when we give more. The blessings of giving are not just external—they echo in our inner peace, joy, and fulfillment.
The Science and Spirit Behind Generosity
Modern studies confirm what sages and spiritual leaders have taught for centuries: giving makes us healthier, happier, and more connected. Acts of generosity trigger the release of endorphins—the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals—and reduce stress, depression, and even physical pain.
In spiritual traditions, giving is seen as an act of worship, a seed sown that brings an inevitable harvest. The Bible teaches, “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
The Boomerang of Blessings
Giving sets off a cycle of blessings. What you release to others comes back in forms you may never expect—peace of mind, divine favour, opportunities, unexpected help, or simply the joy of knowing you made someone else’s burden lighter.
An African proverb puts it this way: “The hand that gives is the hand that receives.” When we open our hands and hearts to others, we also open ourselves to receive.
Real-Life Ripples: Stories That Inspire
The Story of Abdul: A young shoemaker in Lagos offered free polish to a job seeker who couldn’t afford a shine before his interview. That man later got the job—and became one of Abdul’s biggest supporters, opening doors he never imagined.
The Story of Mrs. Abike: A retired teacher who volunteered to teach street children under a tree in her neighbourhood. Today, five of those children are in university—one of them studying to be a teacher, inspired by her selflessness.
These stories remind us that even the smallest gifts can change the direction of someone’s life.
Giving as a Legacy
We are remembered not for what we accumulated, but for what we gave away. The houses, titles, and trophies fade—but the lives we touched, the burdens we lifted, the hungry we fed, the broken hearts we comforted—these echo through eternity.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” A legacy of giving is a legacy of light.
How to Start Living the Blessings of Giving
- Give time – Volunteer. Listen. Visit. Be present.
- Give kindness – Speak love. Show patience. Forgive freely.
- Give resources – Share what you have, even if it seems little.
- Give encouragement – Be someone’s cheerleader.
- Give prayers – Lift others up spiritually.
Even if you think you have nothing, remember: “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
Final Thought: A Life That Gives, Truly Lives
The greatest paradox of life is that the more we give, the more we receive. Giving adds colour to the canvas of our existence, music to the silence of others, and purpose to the beating of our hearts.
So give freely. Give joyfully. Give continually.
Because in the end, life’s most beautiful blessings are found not in what we keep—but in what we give away.
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan
