Several years ago Kevin Myers was meeting with his mentor, leadership guru John C. Maxwell. In response to a relationship problem, Myers shared some simple-but-solid advice:

“Always give more than you take.”

If something sounds familiar it’s probably because Jesus’ words in Acts 20:35 are ringing in your ears: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

So carry that thought into your relationships with your friends.
Carry it into your relationship with your spouse or partner.
Carry it into your relationship with your kids.
Carry it into your relationship with your parents.
Carry it into your relationships with people at work or at church or at the gym.

I know it’s good to receive sometimes too. And if you ONLY give (and never receive) you’ll end up spent and passed out on the sidewalk of emotional and physical fatigue. #bummer

But as a general rule, give more than you take. And the footprint of your life will be a legacy of greater joy.

Not only will you be giving joy to other people, but you’ll be getting it too.

By Matthew Ruttan