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It's Better to Give than to Receive

Whether it’s Christmas morning or their birthday, you’re sure to remember the joy that comes over the faces of your kids when they get a special gift. We think the old adage is true: it’s better to give than to receive.

This little boy shows pure joy. Check out his reaction to the perfect gift:

What makes that video great is that the gift-giver knew exactly what would bring joy to this little boy. It wasn't an expensive gaming system or the latest toy. It was a simple gift that was perfectly suited to the child because of the relationship they shared. Their relationship was the foundation to their joy!

Laughter is designed for relationship. In fact, studies have shown that people who laugh more together have higher-quality relationships. The psalmist indicates that his joy is based in the security he finds in God.

Psalm 16:8-11 says, "I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

This hymn of joy focuses on the goodness of God. The personal pronouns "me" and "I" is used over and over the psalmist shares His joy that is found in the security of God. We see that David finds His unbridled delight only in God’s presence.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." (James 1:17).

Like this? Please read the corresponding devotion on YouVersion!

Compassion is pleased to partner with YouVersion to provide devotional content to help you grow in your relationship with God. We encourage you to visit Compassion's channel on YouVersion and select topics that interest you.

WE HELP CHILDREN FLOURISH!

Through a relationship with a local church and a caring sponsor, a child is able to discover his or her true value.

For $43/month, a sponsored child receives:

LOVE

that unlocks the potential within their heart

EDUCATION

to defeat illiteracy and provide critical skills

SUPPLEMENTS

to protect against malnutrition

HEALTH CARE

to fight back against disease and sickness

CHRIST-CENTERED GUIDANCE

through a local church to overcome fear and hopelessness

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

to protect from crime, violence, and danger

In a world where nearly 400 million children live on less than $2.15 a day, child sponsorship is a strategic way to provide children with compassion, resources, and hope.

WHAT COMPASSION SPONSORS ARE SAYING

Julie

in Columbus, Ohio

GOD SAID TO BE DISCIPLES

We are to take care of those who can't take care of themselves. GOD called my husband & I nine year's ago to take care of a child in Kenya. To show how GOD did work in our life because we decided to follow his calling, he went before us. My husband had lost a child before it was a year old, 30 years ago, I lost my mother, in 2000. We asked GOD to show us a way thru this child to help heal our hearts. newton mirthi was it. He had the same birthday as our lost family members, we knew it was GOD.

Richard & Linda

in Pennington, NJ

Started with two, and now at 4!

We started our sponsorship after a friend "hooked us" by selecting children with the same birthday as ours. As a special "present" to our 90 year old mother we sponsored another child with her birthday and just recently we sponsored a fourth child for a church friend who had just graduated. We are certain that there will be more down the road - we could not think of a greater gift than to "give someone a child".

Connie

in Austin, Tx

From Tragedy to Hope

May 4 was a date that I dreaded. In 2006, I was in a horrible car wreck and for the first 2 years after that, I dreaded that date. In my prayer time one day I asked God to take this tragedy and show His Glory! I checked with Compassion and found that I could pick a child by their birthdate. I specifially found a child with a birthday of May 4th. Today instead of spending that day crying, I have a birthday party for my sponsor child. My life and her life have both been changed.

Start Sponsoring a Child Today!

Your tax-deductible contribution of just $43 a month connects a child living in poverty with a loving, church-driven Child Sponsorship Program.

Your support provides:

Medical checkups, which often save lives
Nutritious food
Health and hygiene training
Educational assistance
Access to special services like surgeries and disaster relief
Mentoring to help children discover their incredible value as God’s children
Most important of all, your sponsored child will hear about Jesus Christ and be encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God. Just imagine how exciting it will be when one day you get to heaven and your sponsored child is there with you because you chose to sponsor him or her.

When you sponsor a child, you'll receive your child's photo, personal story and a child sponsorship packet by mail in approximately 10 days.

When children find out they've been sponsored, the joy they feel is indescribable. Just knowing that someone across the globe cares means more than you can imagine. Sponsoring a child in need will profoundly change the future for your child, and will change your own life as well.

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"When my sponsor told me that she picked me because we have the same name and birthdate, I felt special. I love to share a birthday with her." said Brenda.