One of my favorite things to do is gift people with baked goods. Probably competing with this is my love of gifting my time to others. I have made quite a few financial mistakes in my early life and monetarily, I do not have much to give. My goal in life is to leave the place better than it was when I got here. Gifting or gift giving is a spiritual practices that enhances or promotes collectivism in our communities. It counter greed and lust and promotes humility. It cultivates gratitude.
In this post, I want to discuss how we can establish the practice of gifting and maintain it as a spiritual discipline in our life.
A Universal Experience
After spending several years teaching world religions, I have noticed an undeniable similarity among them: the act of giving. No matter where you look, the practice of giving or sharing with others is a common thread woven throughout all major faiths.
For example, Christianity teaches that giving is more rewarding than receiving, as highlighted in the Bible. In Islam, providing for the less fortunate through charity, or zakat, is considered one of the religion’s fundamental duties. Hinduism emphasizes dana, or selfless giving, as a means to cleanse the spirit. In Buddhism, generosity stands as the first of the Ten Perfections, essential virtues for personal development. Meanwhile, Judaism regards tzedakah, or charitable giving, as a core ethical responsibility. This widespread emphasis on generosity demonstrates that giving truly is a universal spiritual value.
Cultivating Gratitude
As a practice, gratitude is the glue that drives practice of gifting. To begin with this practice, we must be able to suspend our judgments of others and see all people as potential seats of Christ. I have worked with some very unsavory people in my time and have met some pretty horrible people along the way. As a practice, gratitude is a way of life. gratitude is a way of being present in each moment and aware of the good gifts and sometimes the bad gifts you have been given. I was talking about joy and suffering the other day and while bad things kinda suck sometimes, regardless of the outcome, there can be growth. In psychology, we call this post traumatic growth. Mr. Rogers simply asks us to look for the helpers. To be grateful is to recognize the complex web of relationships that link us to the providence of the divine and our connection to all of creation. We truly are all one and we are given a free, one-time gift called life. Regardless of how we came into existence and the circumstances we arrived in, we are all blessed with the presence of life.
The World is Bigger than Us
My home country of The United States has devolved into a maddening cycle of individualism fueled by toxic political propaganda and hateful religious rhetoric. Jesus surprisingly for some was Jewish. Not the modern Jewish you see today, but an older form of Judaism that in some ways looks like the Judaism of today. He was also a brown skinned political refugee, itinerant preacher and a labeled enemy of the state. The work attributed to him points us to radical love and a collectivism that builds community rather than tear it apart.
When we embrace the idea that the world is larger than our individual concerns, our perspective naturally shifts. Instead of focusing solely on what we lack or desire, we become more attuned to the needs and experiences of others. This awareness fosters humility and reminds us that every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to a greater collective well-being. By practicing gratitude, we begin to see opportunities for giving all around us—from a heartfelt compliment to lending a listening ear—and each gesture strengthens the bonds within our community.
Practical Ways to Incorporate Giving Into Your Life
I grew up poor, I wore a lot of hand me downs and clothes that did not always fit. As an adult, I have made some financial decisions that have hurt my lifelong earning potential. The reality is that you don’t need to be wealthy to give. Here are simple yet powerful ways to practice generosity:
- Give Without Expectation – Help someone without waiting for a thank-you.
- Donate Your Skills – Offer free tutoring, repairs, or advice.
- Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation – Send positive thoughts to others.
- Random Acts of Kindness – Pay for a stranger’s coffee or leave an uplifting note.
- Forgive Freely – Sometimes the greatest gift is letting go of resentment.
I am well trained in the art of talking and being empathetic. Taking moments out of my day to keep my finger on the pulse of coworkers who are struggling or taking the time to be intentional with the grocer cashing me out in the checkout line are simple ways to be thankful and to gift some levity in what could be a stressful or boring day.
The best gift we can give is to be the presence of Christ for all that we encounter each day. It becomes a contagious practice and very slowly, if consistent can knit us all back together in this world of brokenness.
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