Chapter 67—Temporal Blessings to the Benevolent
When human sympathy is blended with love and benevolence,
and sanctified by the Spirit of Jesus, it is an element which can be
productive of great good. Those who cultivate benevolence are not
only doing a good work for others, and blessing those who receive the
good action, but they are benefiting themselves by opening their hearts
to the benign influence of true benevolence.
Every ray of light shed upon others will be reflected upon our own
hearts. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful,
every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to supply the neces-
sities of our fellow beings, given or done with an eye to God’s glory,
will result in blessings to the giver. Those who are thus working are
obeying a law of Heaven, and will receive the approval of God. The
pleasure of doing good to others imparts a glow to the feelings which
flashes through the nerves, quickens the circulation of the blood, and
induces mental and physical health.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:56
.
A Healing Blessing
The sympathy which exists between the mind and the body is very
great. When one is affected, the other responds. The condition of the
mind has much to do with the health of the physical system. If the mind
is free and happy, under a consciousness of right doing and a sense of
satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it will create a cheerfulness
that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of
the blood and a toning up of the entire body. The blessing of God is
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a healer; and those who are abundant in benefiting others will realize
that wondrous blessing in their hearts and lives.—
Testimonies for the
Church 4:60, 61
.
The Work of Benevolence Twice Blessed
Divine wisdom has appointed, in the plan of salvation, the law
of action and reaction, making the work of benevolence, in all its
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