Do you know that the Bible long ago describes how being generous lead to happiness? Not only that, but science has confirmed the age-long wisdom of God’s word. In this post, let us see how generosity produces happiness!

Have you seen people who are just so happy? When you see these people, it seems that they are just glowing with energy, life, and hope.

Now, you might wonder what makes these people happy.

Do you know that there’s one common thing that all happy people do? This one thing is something that is indispensable in their lives. In fact, I would venture to say that without doing this one thing, happiness would never last.

You might be happy for some time, but it will wane after a few days or weeks because this one thing is neglected.

Do you want to know what this one thing is? Let me tell you. The one common thing ALL happy people do is give .

Scientific studies show the connection between giving and happiness

Giving is among the keys to happiness.

Yes, you read that right. How can such as simple word help you achieve not just happiness, but also joy in your heart?

Now, I’m not making this one up.

A group of researchers from the Harvard Business School studied the correlation between giving and the level of happiness one person experiences. They surveyed more than 600 people and assessed how they spend their money.

Those who shared their money to others reported a higher level of happiness compared to those who have spent their money on themselves.

Neuroscience has shown that giving to others trigger the same region in your brain that is linked to the subjective feeling of happiness.

A book entitled, The Paradox of Generosity, reported that Americans who donate at least 10% of their income has a lower level of depression rates. Not only that, but it further suggests that people who give are more likely to be healthier compared to those who never give to others.

Another article published by Nature Communication shows how giving is linked to happiness. Researchers from the University of Zurich gave $100 to 50 people every day for a period of one week. Half of them were asked to spend it on themselves while the other half would spend it on others. However, before they gave the money, they made a series of functional MRI scans to see the difference between brain activities of those who pledged to give and those who didn’t.

The experiment was astonishing. The part of the brain that handles the feeling of altruism and happiness was significantly stimulated in the group who pledged to give. The same group also reported a higher level of happiness after the experiment.

Now there are a lot of studies that prove that we are better off giving than receiving. There just too many to mention, but the point is clearer than crystal: giving makes people happy and happy people are generous people as well.

The Bible and the way of giving

These studies only confirm what Yahshua or Jesus Christ had already stated thousands of years ago, long before any clinical studies were made.

We read His statement in Acts 20:35:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

Now, a lot of people doubt this statement. So many people think that the more they earn, the more they have material possessions, the bigger their house, the more they’ll be happy.

While it is true that having a bigger paycheck, getting that latest iPhone model, or buying your dream car would give you a sudden surge of happiness, but it does not stay long. It doesn’t really fill that empty void in your heart.

That’s why Yahshua proposed a different mindset. He is telling us that the way to happiness is the way of giving rather than getting . You would be happier if you give and studies after studies have already confirmed that.

Yet, not all of us are doing this. We still choose to be selfish and stingy. When we give, we still feel we are getting robbed. It hurts to give, right? It hurts to share the things that we have worked so hard.

However, this is where our faith comes into play. Do you believe what Jesus says or do you believe more what your human nature tells you?

Remember, Christ said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” and I can assure you that He didn’t lie.

Winston Churchill once said:

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

There’s no doubt: we accomplish more when we share things than keeping them by ourselves. Look at the many countries in this world right now. A lot of politicians and government officials are simply greedy. Thus, corruption is prevalent. Now, that’s just one form of getting rather than giving.

All this world’s troubles are a result of being selfish and greedy. James was spot on when he wrote:

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and COVET and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:1-3).

How giving produces happiness

So, how exactly does giving make you happy?

The Apostle Paul wrote:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap . For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7-8).

This is one of the most important universal and spiritual laws that you should always remember:

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

Now, why am I telling you this? It is because when you give, you are sowing happiness. You are sowing goodness. You are sowing blessings.

Giving is such a remarkable act of kindness that has a unique way of making the giver happier than the receiver.

If you really want to be happy, make other people happy . You can give not just money, but also your talent, knowledge, time, and energy.

It has always been my experience and observation that those who have served the most in their community are the same people who have enjoyed life more.

Giving can also be about sharing and serving. This world could be a better place if we have more courageous, dedicated, and devoted volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their energy for the greater good.

When you serve, it creates happiness. When you make other people happy, happiness will eventually find its way back to you !

There’s no doubt: the happiest people on earth are also the most generous people. The best thing about being generous is that you will NEVER run out of blessings to share.

Notice what the wisest human king of Israel mentioned:

There is one who scatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty .

THE GENEROUS SOUL WILL BE MADE RICH,

And he who waters will also be watered himself (Proverbs 11:24-25).

This world is geared towards getting rather than giving. No wonder we see a miserable and chaotic world!

Give and you shall be happy

Don’t fall into the trap of believing that the more you have, the happier you’ll become. God shows us how to be happy, joyful, and blessed. We can only achieve that by giving ourselves to others and serving them.

So if you want to be happy, give . It is one of the best investments you’ll make in your life!

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