A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
“That feel-good boost you get from volunteering? It’s one of many benefits linked to living generously. What do you get from giving back. Researchers have associated volunteering with a number of positive outcomes, including:
• More social connections
• Longer lifespan and a better quality of life
• Higher self-esteem
• Adoption of healthy lifestyles
• More physical activity with higher brain function
• Lower blood pressure
• Less loneliness and depression
• Fewer instances of stress, pain and hospitalization
After two years of volunteering, female volunteers walked an averaged 1,500 more steps per day than women who didn’t volunteer…The more people volunteer the happier they are compared to those who never volunteer, the odds of being very happy rose:
• 7% among those who volunteer monthly
• 12% among those who volunteer every 2-4 weeks
• 16% among those who volunteer weekly
Impact on Youth: In a study assigned to a group of high schoolers to volunteer once a week at an after-school program for children, after 10 weeks, the volunteers had a lower average body mass index (BMI) and lower cholesterol levels than non-volunteers.
No matter your age, you can benefit from donating your time to a worthy cause…Volunteers who get involved to help others benefit more than those do who do so to benefit themselves.”
Margaret Poe in “The Generosity Effect” in Thrivent Magazine: Helping Members Connect Faith & Finances for Good, June 2017: 10-11.
Today I am walking my students through the Old Testament to explore God’s design for stewardship and generosity. Today’s Scripture ranks among the texts I will highlight from the wisdom literature because research like Poe’s proves that it’s true. Following God’s design to serve and refresh others generously actually contributes a host of benefits back to us. My favorite one for our fitbit-focused modern society: volunteers got 1,500 more steps in per day than those who did not volunteer!
Are you actively serving others on a regular basis? Seriously, look at your calendar, take inventory of your spiritual gifts, and put them to work in service to God and others. Start by serving in your local church, in your community and region, and around the world. If you are not sure what your gifts are, email me and I’ll share a PDF of a basic spiritual gifts inventory that I give my students. Serve generously. It’s good for you, and it’s God’s design for your life!