Your friend’s decided to hold a charity cake sale and asks you to help. What do you do? Do you decide to go on the day and buy something, or do you join your friend in the kitchen and help with the baking? What takes greater effort – handing over some cash or giving up your time and energy to help someone? Which shows a greater level of commitment? When we give up our time to help someone, it’s a sign that we truly value them. Think back to all the people who’ve had the greatest impact on you: maybe a teacher who helped you learn new things and realise what you could achieve; a parent who loved you, sacrificed for you and gave you the gift of self-worth; a mentor who painted a picture of your future then equipped and challenged you to reach for it. Next to your salvation, what could be greater? Have a think about these words from Harold S. Kushner: ‘When you come to look back on all that you have done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you brought to other people’s lives than from the times you outdid and defeated them.’ Too many of us see giving as more than just an act of love - we see it as a transaction - we only give to get something back. It’s so easy to live only for yourself. In fact, it’s one of our most basic instincts - one we have to overcome each day. But we can take another path - to be generous with our love and our time. When you give those gifts, you’re being as generous as you can be.

What now?
Dedicate some time each day to focus completely on helping others in some way. Try and make it at least 30 minutes every day (aim for more if you can manage it).