Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“Relatedness: Helping others may be most emotionally rewarding when it satisfies the fundamental need for social connection… Competence: Prosocial spending is most likely to satisfy the need for competence when people can see how their generous actions have made a difference… Autonomy: Because the need for autonomy is satisfied when people feel that their actions are freely chosen, the emotional benefits of prosocial spending should be greater when people have a choice about whether to give…
Taken together, this research suggests that the emotional benefits of prosocial spending are likely to be greatest when giving satisfies the needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy.When prosocial spending fails to increase happiness – in everyday life or in a psychology experiment – consider whether the giving opportunity could be redesigned to increase the likelihood that one or more of these needs is satisfied. By doing so, charities can maximize the emotional benefits of giving for their donors, potentially increasing the likelihood of repeat donations; the happier people feel when reflecting on previous prosocial spending, the more likely they are to spend on others in the future.”
Elizabeth W., Dunn, Lara B. Aknin, and Michael I. Norton in “Prosocial Spending and Happiness: Using Money to Benefit Others Pays Off.” Current Directions in Psychological Science.
Today’s Scripture reminds me that God loves it when people cheerfully give and when God’s workers encourage autonomous, voluntary giving.
And the data affirms this. At least the point on autonomy. People don’t like to be manipulated into giving.
Also, the research suggests that God’s workers redesign communications as needed to be sure to encourage relatedness and to demonstrate competence.
Relatedness links to moving beyond inviting people to give, to inviting them to join you in God’s work.
And competence relates to demonstrating clearly that the engagement and projected actions will in fact make a difference and bring about transformation.
That said, each of us in Christian ministry who encourage need to take notes here.
Let us inspire voluntary participation in God’s work while demonstrating competence and specific impact. This will grow giving and in many cases, start people on a journey of generosity.
This follow’s Paul’s example. We can see givers learn that God is able to bless them as they grow in this grace.