One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25
“This study asked people from three countries—Canada, Uganda, and India—to remember a time they had spent money on
themselves or someone else. The participants from all three countries who were told to recall spending money on someone else reported greater happiness than those assigned to recall spending money on themselves, and this effect appeared to be independent of the role that the spending could play in fostering a social relationship (which in itself could lead to more happiness)…Canadian and South African participants were given the option to anonymously buy a goody bag filled with treats. Half were told they would be buying the goody bag for themselves while the other half were told they would be buying the treats for a sick child they would never meet. Across both cultures, the participants who spent the money on the bag for the sick child reported greater positive affect than did those who bought the bag for themselves, suggesting that people still reap more happiness from giving to others they will never meet than from spending on themselves. Together these findings provide cross-cultural evidence that generosity leads to happiness in a wide variety of contexts.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
The picture above features the second of four strategic meetings in Costa Rica to build a coalition of workers willing to collaborate to form a peer accountability group (like ECFA in USA) in the four main cities of the country.
This group convened in Cartago.
As we continue following this extensive research, we see that generosity leads to happiness not just for Westerners, but rather, for people all over the world. I see it in in my travels, especially in the majority world. This is refreshing to read.
If finds roots in today’s timeless Scripture from Proverbs.
“The one who gives freely gains more” is exactly the finding of the research. Praise God for this affirmation of biblical truth. When we make it a way of life, it leads to happiness and flourishing, thank the Lord.
Would you pray that Costa Ricans grasp this in our training today?
We facilitate the Stations of Generosity training for about 60 influential Christian workers who want to experience the training and train others. Appreciate your prayers. Our aim is to multiply this throughout the country.