Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“Many studies investigating the link between generosity and psychological well-being have zeroed in on happiness specifically. While popular culture may imply that happiness comes from focusing on yourself, research suggests the opposite: Being generous can make you happier.
This seems to be true even from a young age: One study found that toddlers younger than two exhibited more happiness when giving treats to a puppet than when receiving treats themselves and were even happier when they gave some treats from their own bowl.
Indeed, even small acts can increase happiness. A study of male undergraduates found that helping pick up spilled objects increased their positive mood. In fact, just agreeing to help improved their mood, although not as much as agreeing and actually helping. Students who were not asked to help (and didn’t volunteer to do so) saw a small drop in their mood.
Participants in another study were instructed to perform acts of kindness for others or the world over a six-week period; these participants reported increased positive emotions and decreased negative emotions, while others who were instructed to perform acts of kindness toward themselves did not report any emotional benefits.
While small acts of generosity can seemingly increase happiness, more sustained generosity may be even more effective. A study using data from more than 29,000 adults found that people who volunteered for religious organizations reported greater happiness than people who did not volunteer for these organizations.
In addition, more religious volunteering made people feel, or at least report feeling, greater happiness (as calculated via regression), perhaps by making them appreciate the good in their lives more deeply rather than comparing themselves to others who have more.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
Whether you are young or old, the research reveals that generosity and service can enrich you emotionally and make you happier. As I pondered this, three applications emerged.
Firstly, we would all do well to have margin to help people with urgent needs, like a student aiding others who have spilled objects. Having margin to help will make me happier.
For example, I am trying to leave for appointments or meetings earlier. Rather than race to get there, I find leaving earlier relaxes me and gives me eyes possible needs around me.
Secondly, we will all be more emotionally healthy if we give thought to planning intentional acts of kindness and generosity. Imagine more emotional health in this broken world!
That particular study lasted six weeks. Experts say that doing something for that length of time can create a habit. What might you do over the next six weeks to form a new habit?
Thirdly, when we “appreciate the good in our lives more deeply rather than comparing themselves to others who have more” we appear as content and happy people. Imagine the impact that can have on the watching world.
There’s lots of emptiness and discontentment out there. Perhaps rather than focusing on what you don’t have today, make a list of things you are thankful for and thank God.
And if generous people appear on that list, thank them for the blessing they are in your life and how they have modeled for you how to grasp greater happiness and abundant life. Send them a short message today.
I am happy to report that our team made it safely to San Jose, Costa Rica (see header photo). I teach on “Stewardship and Standards” in the first of four cities today. Thanks for your prayers.
This service brings me happiness and has great impact. It empowers national workers to build trust and grow local giving to God’s work and multiplies the reach of their ministries.
Reply to get a copy of the trip schedule to pray for our GTP team serving in Costa Rica and Colombia. Click here to support this work with your giving. It will make you happier!