“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
“Money can buy happiness — if you spend it on others, research suggests.
Imagine you’re really selfish. How should you spend your resources to maximize your happiness? Instead of buying more stuff for yourself, research suggests that giving to people or causes you care about is more likely to do the trick.
Giving not only helps others, but it also rewards yourself in measurable ways, so much so that it may even increase your lifespan. People seem to understand this intuitively…
A growing body of research has revealed numerous psychological and physiological benefits of giving, challenging common conceptions about the relationship between money and happiness.
In 2008, for example, Norton and his colleagues conducted a study where they gave $5 or $20 to people and then instructed them to spend it either on themselves or someone else.
Later that evening, the researchers checked in with the participants to see how they felt emotionally. The group that gave money to others reported feeling happier over the course of the day. What’s more, the results showed no emotional difference between people who received $5 and those who got $20.”
Stephen Johnson in “How generosity changes your brain” Big Think and Neurosych Post dated 17 August 2021.
Luke records Paul reminding us that “It is better to give than receive.”
As Johnson notes, “people seem to understand this intuitively,” but now research is proving it. And to me the best part of this is the comment linked to $5 and $20.
Think of the implications of this for givers everywhere in the world.
Whether we give two pennies or two thousand dollars, giving enhances and impacts the life of the giver. Or as others have put it, “God does not need our money. We need to give it.”
When we do, it shapes and changes us.
I will share more of this research tomorrow, but for now, instead of buying something, make a gift somewhere today. Consider GTP as we plan program work in Costa Rica and Colombia, two new countries, later this month.
Click here to give. Whether you give $5 or $20, your gift will empower national worker to build trust and grow local giving. And it will increase your happiness.
You can cherish the thought that your gift will build the capacity of each of the ministries served by each worker, and it will grow your joy. If you want to multiply impact to workers serving the poor and needy in these place, give generously instead of making a purchase today.
And pause to see how you feel about this decision at the end of the day. Who knows? It might feel so good that you might just repeat the action tomorrow too.