Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
“Music’s effect on generosity has been less studied than television’s, despite the fact that Americans spend an average of 24 hours listening to music each week. However, the research that has been done suggests that two aspects of music—its ability to elicit emotions and its lyrical content—may influence generous behavior in listeners.
Several studies have shown that people are more likely to help others when in a positive mood, and music may be a good way to make people feel happier and thus more generous. This connection was borne out in a field experiment conducted on 646 users of a university gym who were exposed to either uplifting (up-tempo, British top-20 recent singles) or annoying (avant-garde computer music) songs and later asked either to sign a petition in support of a charity (a low-demand task) or to distribute leaflets for the charity (a higher-demand task).
While almost all subjects from both groups agreed to sign the petition, significantly more of the subjects from the uplifting music group than the annoying music group agreed to help distribute leaflets, suggesting that music that lifts your spirits may also make you more generous.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
Who knew?! Listening to music can uplift your spirits and also make you more generous. It makes sense, biblically speaking. Repeatedly, the Scriptures call us to sing and give thanks. Perhaps music provides the context for cultivating gratitude.
For my part, I don’t listen to much music. But when I do, I like to listen to Handel’s Messiah, which celebrates the prophecies, the passion, and the promise of Messiah. Perhaps this explains why I desire to give myself to Kingdom work each day.
What music do you listen to? How might it encourage or dampen your generosity? Think about this and maybe turn on, turn off, turn up, or turn down the music as God leads.