Classic Poem

God, let me be a giver, and not one
—Who only takes and takes unceasingly;
God, let me give, so that not just my own,
—But others' lives as well, may richer be.

Let me give out whatever I may hold
—Of what material things life may be heaping,
Let me give raiment, shelter, food, or gold
—If these are, through Thy bounty, in my keeping.

But greater than such fleeting treasures, may
—I give my faith and hope and cheerfulness,
Belief and dreams and joy and laughter gay
—Some lonely soul to bless.

God, let me be a giver, and not one
—Who only takes and takes unceasingly;
God, let me give, so that not just my own,
—But others' lives as well, may richer be.

Let me give out whatever I may hold
—Of what material things life may be heaping,
Let me give raiment, shelter, food, or gold
—If these are, through Thy bounty, in my keeping.

But greater than such fleeting treasures, may
—I give my faith and hope and cheerfulness,
Belief and dreams and joy and laughter gay
—Some lonely soul to bless.