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The Transformative Power of Helping Others: Insights from Faith and Science

I remain convinced that helping others is essential to healthy living and vitality, not just for those receiving the help, but also those who are helping. It’s almost like a secret life hack hidden in the Bible. As a pastor, I recommend this all the time to people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and health challenges.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Here is the amazing part, God doesnt need our help, nor does He need to receive pleasure from us. But when we are doing things “pleasing” to God; it doesn’t benefit Him, but rather benefits us.

We often think “well I need to wait until I have money to give to others”, but this isnt so. Here are 5 ways to give without having money:

• Volunteering your time is a powerful way to make a difference, whether it's helping out at a local shelter, tutoring students, or participating in community clean-up events.

• Sharing your skills and knowledge can also be incredibly valuable; consider offering free workshops or mentoring someone in your area of expertise.

• Acts of kindness, such as cooking a meal for a neighbor or offering to run errands for someone in need, can have a significant impact.

• Donating items you no longer need, like clothes, books, or household goods, can provide much-needed resources to others.

• Lastly, simply offering emotional support by being a good listener and providing encouragement can be a tremendous gift to someone going through a tough time.

In the journey of faith, helping others is seen as a profound way to partner with God in the ongoing act of creation. By extending love, compassion, and assistance to those in need, we participate in the divine work of restoring and renewing the world. This act of selfless service is not merely a moral duty but a spiritual practice that draws us closer to God. As we align our will with His, we become co-creators in His divine plan, reflecting His image more fully in our lives. This process of becoming more like God, known as theosis, is the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey. Through acts of kindness and charity, we open our hearts to divine grace, allowing it to transform us and elevate our souls. In this way, helping others is both a manifestation of God's love in the world and a path to our own spiritual union with Him.

Helping others is a profound act that resonates deeply within both spiritual traditions and scientific understanding. From a faith perspective, acts of kindness and service are seen as pathways to spiritual growth and fulfillment. They align with the teachings of Christ that emphasize compassion, humility, and the interconnectedness of all beings. Whats funny is, science too, supports the benefits of altruism, revealing that helping others can lead to improved mental and physical health. Here are five ways in which helping others can enrich your life:

• Enhanced Well-being: Engaging in acts of kindness releases endorphins, often referred to as the "helper's high," which can reduce stress and increase happiness.

• Strengthened Community Bonds: Serving others fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens social connections, which are crucial for emotional support and resilience.

• Personal Growth: Helping others encourages self-reflection and personal development, fostering qualities like patience, empathy, and humility.

• Spiritual Fulfillment: Acts of service are seen as a way to live out one's faith, bringing a deeper sense of purpose and alignment with spiritual values.

• Improved Physical Health: Studies have shown that those who regularly help others, tend to be healthier.

“Similar things happen in almsgiving and in Holy Communion. In Holy Communion we receive the Living Lord Christ Himself, in the form of bread and wine; in almsgiving we give to the Living Lord Christ Himself, in the form of the poor and needy. A certain man in Constantinople was unusually merciful. Walking along the streets of the city, he would press his gift into the hands of the poor and hurry onward, so he would not hear their gratitude or be recognized. When a friend of his asked how he had become so merciful, he replied: “Once in church I heard a priest say that whoever gives to the poor, gives into the hands of Christ Himself. I didn’t believe it, for I thought, ‘How can this be, when Christ is in heaven?’ However, I was on my way home one day and I saw a poor man begging, and the face of Christ shone above his head! Just then a passerby gave the beggar a piece of bread, and I saw the Lord extend His hand, take the bread, and bless the donor. From then on, I have always seen Christ’s face shining above the beggars. Therefore, with great fear I perform as much charity as I can.’”

+ St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Reflection for September 18, The Prologue of Ohrid, Volume II