Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10
“In general, people are more generous and kinder toward people with whom they share some sort of affiliation — people who they see as members of their “ingroup.” In one experiment, participants were more likely to help an injured jogger who wore their favorite soccer team’s jersey than to help a fan of a rival team.
In another study, children as young as four to six years old gave more stickers to children who they were told shared their interests.
Fortunately, there is also evidence that whom we consider to be in our “ingroup” is not fixed in stone. Research has shown that we can prime people to experience feelings of relatedness and connection toward others who they may have otherwise seen as “outgroup” members — and thus become more generous toward them.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
I realize I referenced this Scripture three days ago, but I have returned to it today as it employs the “ingroup” and “outgroup” language. The Apostle Paul urged the Galatians to do good to all (including outsiders), especially the family of believers (which represents the insiders).
Is this showing favoritism or is might Paul have deeper objectives in view?
I think this text affirms the research. Allen reports that we can “prime people” to set aside the insider or outsider mindset and grow in generosity. I think that’s what Paul is doing with both the ingroup and the outgroup. He wants people to show love to brothers and sisters (insiders) as a witness to the watching world of how believers care for one another. But he also desires that they do good to all people (outsiders and insiders) to exhibit the opposite of favoritism and to show that God’s love is for everyone.
Take a few minutes with the Lord in a journal and list your ingroup and outgroup. How might you do good to both groups in your living, giving, serving, and loving?
And pray for me as I travel to Panama City, Panama on the night flight en route to do GTP program work in Kingston, Jamaica, arriving tomorrow. Thanks.
I have been invited to “prime people” to connect stewardship and standards and to show how they set up a peer accountability group like ECFA in USA to build trust and grow local generosity.
I need your help to do this. Please make a gift today to GTP. Click here to set up your monthly or one-time gift. Thanks.