My girlfriend had just received her very first paycheck. To celebrate, she decided to treat herself at her favorite fast food joint.
On the way, a street child tugged at her sleeve asking for alms. Instead of brushing him off, she invited him to dine with her.
He thanked her, admitting it was his first meal in three days. But halfway through, she noticed something unusual. He stopped eating and carefully set aside the rest. Curious, she asked why.
In a soft voice, he explained that he was saving it for his younger sister who was waiting outside.
My girlfriend was stunned. Here was a child with almost nothing, yet his first instinct was still to share.
She urged him to finish his food and ordered another meal for his sister.
Most people would have ignored the street child. She gave because she was celebrating. But he gave because that was simply who he was.
That is the essence of generosity. It is not reserved for milestones or special occasions. True giving happens on ordinary days, in quiet ways, without expectation.
The irony? Those who have less often give more freely, while those who have plenty tend to hold back.
You only pass through this world once. None of your wealth will come with you. But the way you touch lives is what remains.
Afterall, the true measure of life is not in its duration, but in its donation (Corrie Ten Boom).