Actually, I don’t even think the word prosperity ever crossed my mind. Prosperity meant “lots” and “extra” and “excess”. We didn’t have that but we had enough. We never went hungry and always had clean clothes to put on.
Now I know differently. Prosperity, true prosperity, doesn’t mean how much you get. True prosperity means how much you give. And I’ll tell you the truth. Every time I give away I get back more. It doesn’t matter what is given either. I do a favor and someone takes care of something I need.
Here’s an example. In my neighborhood there is an extra strip of grass bordering the street. The neighbor on my left has the same size strip that I do. While I was cutting my strip of grass, I kept going and cut my neighbor’s strip too. I’m sure he noticed but he never said anything.
A week or so went by and as I was pulling into my driveway I noticed that my strip of grass was freshly cut and I didn’t do it. My neighbor did and never said a word.
The story continues. A week later when I cut the main part of my lawn I continued on and cut the few feet of my neighbor’s that borders my property. Besides, it made my property look bigger. Again, not a word was said.
The next day I came home and saw that the whole front of my yard had been trimmed with an edger. I didn’t do it. I don’t have an edger.
I have had flat tires in the middle of the night and a stranger would come along and help me. My car was totaled and a friend loaned me a car so I wouldn’t have to pay for a rental and could leisurely shop for another car.
Do you see what I mean? Every time I freely extend myself without asking for anything in return, I get more than paid back. I get lots. I get extra. I get excess.
Is that prosperity? You bet.
I don’t care what the economy looks like. We live in a prosperous world. All you have to do is look. Observe. Open your eyes and be aware of what is going on all around you. Prosperity is there for the giving. The measure you give is the measure you get. You’ve heard that before. I didn’t make it up.
An organization I belong to was giving a luncheon and needed help. I signed up. They wanted to serve tomatoes. As far as I’m concerned, the best tomatoes come from the local Farmers Market. I took the time to drive there to get the best. Tomatoes were going for $1.50 to $2.50 a pound. To make sure there were enough tomatoes for everyone and some extra, I bought 25 pounds. I swear I never asked for a discount. I paid a mere $20. They were the best I ever tasted.
Here are a few more prosperity suggestions:
- Give an extra tip in a restaurant.
- Give a real compliment to the next 5 people you meet.
- Let someone in front of you in line.
- Praise a child with something that is true about them.
- Hold the door for the person behind you even if you have to wait for them.
- Look in the mirror and say, “I love you” to the face looking back at you.
- Sing a song while you drive in traffic.
- Write down 5 different blessings you receive each day for a month.
- Feed the birds.
- Be grateful for trees. You’re breathing their breath.
Give with gratitude and you’ll feel good. Feel good and you’ll feel prosperous.
How much should you give in order to feel prosperous? Give as much as is needed in order for you to love to give.
