If you stretch a friendly hand
To lift a struggling peer
You’ll find yourself uplifted quick
“More blest” it is
to seek “to give
“Than to receive“, it’s clear

Dollars giv’n to needy folk
Or checks cut to cut their pain
Deposit to your bank above!
When Scrooge’s greed
Met Tim’s great need
It gave in! To both their gain

As you donate treasures here
To thrift stores or the poor
You store up endless treasures where
Ain’t “moth nor rust”
Nor “thieves” to bust
Forever to endure

As you shine your faith-light bright
Upon a cancer-fighter
It bounces back upon yourself
Fresh hope appears!
Venetian mirrors
Could not reflect it brighter

As you offer to forgive
A neighbor “sev’nty times seven”
You’re promised saving mercy too
“Forgive our sins
As we forgive”
Means pard’ning pulls down heaven

“As you give to other men
So also you receive
Good measure… poured into your lap”
“The measure… you use
Will measure” your treasure
A storehouse “eye has not seen”

As you substitute your will
For that of God and guest
You “bear your cross” behind the Christ
His Joy and Peace
In you increase
As ego is suppressed

As you love your enemy
Who wounds you or offends
You love yourself! And be aware

The “enemy”

Yourself may be!

On love alone, eternal joy depends

*****

It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt. 6:19-20

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.” (Lk. 6:38)