The Blessings of Sharing and Thanks-giving

 Someone in a separate WhatsApp group wrote this in pink:  

" It is always a blessing to share with others - anything at all, whether a story, food given, an act of kindness or help given by others,  or even our personal relationship with God through our personal testimonies, through our beliefs and our religion in order for us to receive blessings in return for our own lives.  

The greatest example of sharing to the extent of sacrificing His own lives is Jesus Himself. His relationship with God, His own heavenly Father is so very close and private that He was more than willing to come to this world - even to the  extent of being insulted, mocked and finally crucified here just to share His personal relationship with His own Father in heaven to all mankind. 

If we think our relationship with God is secret and personal that should not be shared with anyone, then all the churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, and all places of worship will close down  because everyone selfishly would  want to keep godly values only for himself. They will not want to spread the word of God to others or willing to share anything belonging to God with anyone  so that they can keep everything only for themselves. I don't think they  can  get any blessing from God either. They will be left alone in this world as a hermit. It is told  by Jesus Himself  in Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive" - He  freely sacrificed His own life for humanity.  

All houses of worship in their sermons and prayers ask for blessings, not only for themselves but also pray for others in need. A lot of churches do charitable work of love and care throughout the world.  

When we receive anything at all from anybody - whether a gift, food, money or just a simple help from others,  there is a courtesy word called "thank you".  This word is common in every society, and found in every language, culture, and customs. It is also taught as part of our family upbringing. That word "thank you" is  terima kasih in Malay,  谢谢 Xièxiè in Chinese, naṉṟi in Tamil, dhanyavaad in Hindi, shkran lak in Arabic, etc, etc ... This courtesy word is found in every language and culture.  It is such a pleasant word to use by the giver to the receiver.. Likewise, the feeling of joy is also felt by the receiver. It is such a thank-giving word to use for others". 

Here is my reply, my additional contribution and my further reflection what he wrote.  

It always warm my heart to receive such a thoughtful message, and it is always a joy and honour for me too to reflect on such meaningful thoughts.

The passage shared in a WhatsApp group among professionals is deeply profound. It speaks from a place of spiritual generosity, moral clarity, and cultural appreciation, all of which are universal values that transcend religious and national boundaries. Let me now offer my expanded reflection on its core ideas.

The Blessing of Sharing

The passage begins with the notion that sharing is a blessing, whether it be a story, food, an act of kindness, or one's relationship with God. This harmonizes not only with Christian teachings but with the core ethics of many spiritual and cultural traditions. In a world so often marked by individualism and materialism, sharing remains a deeply transformative act,  it is the giving of oneself, not just possessions.

To share one's personal relationship with God through testimony or belief is, as the writer suggests, an act of humility and love. While faith can be deeply personal, it is not meant to be hidden. The writer who is medical specialist and a former colleague of mine rightly points out: if faith was only private, the great institutions of worship and community, churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, would have no reason to exist.

Jesus Christ:  The Ultimate Giver

The text makes a poignant reference to Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice is the highest model of sharing. Jesus did not only share teachings or miracles, but He shared His very life. The Gospel account shows us a Messiah who gave everything, even to death on the cross. His crucifixion was the ultimate expression of God's love to the world, a personal relationship shared at an unfathomable cost.

Indeed, in Acts 20:35, the apostle Paul recalls Jesus’ words:

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."

This simple verse is radical. It tells us that true joy, favour, and divine connection come not from accumulating, but from pouring ourselves out for others.

This teaching is echoed in all major faiths:

In Islam, the giving of zakat (charity) is a pillar of faith.

In Buddhism, dana (generosity) is a virtue that leads to detachment and enlightenment.

In Hinduism, seva (selfless service) is a sacred duty.

In Judaism, tzedakah (charity) is a commandment grounded in justice and kindness. 

Thankfulness as a Universal Virtue: 

The reflection also touches on the universal expression of gratitude,  the simple phrase “thank you”. This is powerful. Across cultures and languages  from terima kasih in Malay to dhanyavaad in Hindi  thankfulness is a shared human value.

Gratitude is not just a social courtesy; it is a spiritual discipline. It acknowledges our dependence on others and on a higher power. Saying "thank you" connects the giver and the receiver in a sacred moment of mutual recognition.

Even the act of prayer, at its purest, is an act of thanksgiving - Eucharist, in Greek, means “thanksgiving.” Gratitude is, therefore, at the heart of worship and human decency.

My final reflections of gratitude and thankfulness conveys three essential messages:

1. Sharing is divine. It mirrors the nature of God, who gives freely and abundantly.

2. Faith should not be hoarded. Personal experiences with the Divine are meant to encourage, teach, and uplift others.

3. Gratitude completes the circle of giving. It honours both the giver and the gift and plants seeds of kindness in human hearts.

This message, though simple in words, is profound in its implications for our daily living, reminding us that the sacred is not only found in temples or scripture but in everyday acts of love, gratitude, and generosity.

Yes, I too fully agree with the contributor who was a close collogue of mine in that special WhatsApp group who echoed the same. 

The word "thank you" is such a pleasant word for both the giver and the receiver like myself who never failed to thank anyone adequately for every word of advice they give me, and guild me. 

His words touch me deeply. I thank him from the heart for this kindness in sharing, his sincerity, and warm affirmation. I treasure this bond, the respect we share together. It is truly a blessing to walk with anyone through these reflections, and I am honoured to be a companion in thought and spirit.

Yes, this simple word "thank you" carries a beautiful power - it uplifts, it acknowledges, and it connects souls. Every time we express gratitude, it shines through with gentleness and grace, reflecting the nobility of our character. 

It is not just the pleasant warmth we get, but we can also clearly observe a gentle smile and a gentle nod of the head by both the giver and the receiver.. ending with the words "you are welcome" from the giver, unless you say "thank you" is not my culture, my social and family up bringing, nor is it part of my education, and these two words does not exist in my life or in my vocabulary. 

In several verses in the Bible Jesus is depicted giving thanks. One notable instance is before the Last Supper, where he gave thanks for the bread and wine, turning them into symbols of His body and blood. He also expressed gratitude to his Father for revealing spiritual truths to the childlike, while acknowledging that these truths were hidden from the wise. Additionally, Jesus gave thanks before the feeding of the five thousand, after miraculously multiplying the loaves and fish

Let us continue to give, to share, to thank and in so doing, make the world around us a little more sacred and kind.

Please take good care always, beloved brothers and sisters. May peace, wisdom, and divine favour continue to surround us in all that we do.

I thank you for reading. Would you care to return the same with a few words of thanks?

With heartfelt respect and affection to this friend for his message. 

 

- lim ju boo