And what we give to others, we give to ourselves. The proverb is right: "Those whom God wishes to bless, he puts in their hands the means of helping others." When we give the gifts of righteous integrity, compassionate help, and loving speech, we bless ourselves.

A recent study examined the lives of 65 men and women between the ages of 30 and 90, all of whom were caring for a loved one suffering from advanced cancer. Results showed that people who dedicate themselves to caring for a loved one not only gain a stronger sense of purpose in life, but also tend to have better physical health in the process. There is a positive correlation between helping others and helping ourselves (Harry R. Moody and David Carroll, The Five Stages of the Soul, 242).

The psychologist Abraham Maslow discovered that a psychologically healthy person achieves what he called a state of "self-actualization," defined as "an ongoing actualization of potential, capacities, talents as fulfillment of a mission" (ibid, 278).

The more we fulfill our mission of helping others, the more we fulfill ourselves:

"Your light will break forth like the dawn" (v. 8a)—your light will shine so that others will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew5.16).

"Your healing will quickly appear" (v. 8b)—as you help others, you position yourself to be helped by them and by God.

"Your righteousness will go before you" (v. 8c)—God will guide you, for you are willing to follow his mission for your life.

"The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard" (v. 8d)—he will protect you, for you are walking in his will.

"You will call, and the Lord will answer" (v. 9a)—he will hear and answer your prayers, for you are close to him and his call on your life.

With these results:

"You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (v. 11). You will give to others, and never run out. Your well will never go dry.

"You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls" (v. 12). When you give broken lives and hearts your gifts of integrity, compassion, and truth, you will leave such an eternal legacy.

And "you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob" (v. 14).

Decide today to measure your success not by what you gain, but by what you give. Not by what people call you, but by what you call them. Find a need and meet it. See every obstacle as an opportunity to give someone your moral example, your compassionate help, your loving words. Treat every problem as a chance to share God's love in yours.

Do what you can, while you can. You are not responsible for the needs you cannot meet, just those you can. The Jewish rabbi Zusia once said, "In the world to come, no one will ask me why I was not Moses. I shall be asked, 'Why were you not Zusia?'"