Giving opens the way for receiving.
Florence Scovel Shinn, teacher of spiritual law and prophetess of the unseen, declared: “Giving opens the way for receiving.” In this brief yet luminous truth, she reveals the eternal rhythm of life: that to give is not to lose, but to set in motion a current that returns to the giver. The hands that open in generosity become the same hands that receive blessings, for the universe rewards those who do not clutch but release.
The heart of her teaching is that receiving cannot come from grasping alone. A clenched fist cannot take in new gifts, but an open palm can. When one gives freely—whether of wealth, kindness, or wisdom—one clears space for greater things to flow back. Thus, giving is not only an act of love but also a seed planted in the soil of life, destined to yield fruit in time.
History bears radiant witness. Consider the life of Andrew Carnegie, who, after amassing great fortune, gave much of it away to build libraries, schools, and institutions. In return, his name lives not as a robber baron, but as a benefactor of knowledge and progress. His giving transformed his legacy, ensuring that long after his death, he continues to receive honor and remembrance.
So too in the realm of spirit. Mother Teresa, though poor in possessions, gave of herself tirelessly to the dying and the destitute. In giving love and comfort, she herself received love and reverence from countless souls across the earth. Her life proved that the act of giving, no matter how small, opens a floodgate through which blessings flow—sometimes material, often spiritual, but always real.
O children of tomorrow, take this to heart: do not fear giving, for it does not diminish you, it multiplies you. Withholding breeds stagnation, but generosity sets rivers flowing. The one who gives bread to the hungry will never truly starve; the one who gives kindness will never lack friendship; the one who gives light will never walk in darkness. Shinn’s words ring eternal—giving opens the way for receiving, and he who trusts in this law will never walk empty-handed.
UGUser Google
I love the idea of this quote, but I’m skeptical about how it works in practice. It feels like a lovely sentiment, but what happens when we give and don’t receive anything back? Do we just keep giving without expecting anything in return, or should we reevaluate how we give in the first place? Is it possible that some people give so much that they lose sight of their own needs in the process?
TVPham Tran Tuong Vi
This quote seems to suggest that giving is not only generous but a way to manifest abundance. But sometimes, I feel like giving doesn’t always result in receiving something tangible. Can we give freely without any expectation of a return? If not, is it still considered truly giving, or is there always an underlying motive? Does the intention behind the giving impact how we experience receiving?
LTlong tran
I think there’s wisdom in this quote, but I’m curious—does giving always mean material things, or can it be emotional or spiritual support as well? In my experience, offering love and compassion has led to receiving the same in return, but it hasn’t always been immediate. So, does the timing of what we receive matter? What if it takes years for the cycle of giving and receiving to truly unfold?
TVTuong Vii
This quote makes me reflect on the law of attraction. Is giving an intentional act that opens us up to receiving more of what we want in life? I’ve often heard people say that giving brings abundance into your life, but can we really expect anything in return? How much should we give before expecting something back, or should the act of giving be selfless without any anticipation of receiving?
PTBinh Phan Thanh
I really like this idea, but I wonder if it’s always true. Sometimes people give and give without receiving anything in return. Does that mean they’re somehow blocking their own ability to receive, or is the act of giving itself enough? In a world where people can take advantage of kindness, how do we ensure that giving truly leads to something positive? Can giving be a form of self-care, even if there’s no immediate return?