Wanted: People Who Need Kindness

We all know that there are many in the world, country, and our neighborhood that need help. Widows, children, and the ill may not have enough to get by. During these tough economic times, even those who are working may need help. However, did you know that there is another need out there that must be met? That is the need to give.

Scouts and Scouters learn that with blessings comes responsibility. God blesses us so that we can bless others. Despite what you may be told by media or government officials, the financially successful in America are the most generous people in the world. That is a fact – look it up. Successful people give billions of dollars to charities and organizations each year. That does not include those who they help one on one without anyone knowing of their kindness.

“The unfortunate need people who will be kind to them;

the prosperous need people to be kind to.”

Aristotle

385-323 BC

Philosopher

So why are people willing to give away what they have earned? Roman poet Seneca put it this way: “No man can live happily who regards himself alone, who turns everything to his advantage. You must live for others if you wish to live for yourself.” As I said earlier, people need to be generous just as much as some need to be helped.

Scouting teaches that there is a natural law of sowing and reaping. If you give, you will receive it. You do not give to receive, but it is a natural law that cannot be changed. Likewise, I believe that for the greedy and those who fear giving will receive nothing in return. You see it all the time. Many who have nothing are that way because they give nothing. As Andrew Carnegie, a man who gave away his fortune, said, “No man becomes rich unless he enriches others.”

Scouts need to understand that we all must be willing to be generous. Generosity has nothing to do with our income level. I know some incredibly generous people who have very little. It is a matter of the heart. Be wise in your giving, but be generous. Eighteenth-Century poet Alexander Pope said, “Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing.”

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey