GENEROSITY AND JOY

GENEROSITY AND JOY

Sharon and I start each day at breakfast together reading a devotional from OUR DAILY BREAD Ministries. It is a quarterly publication you might want to consider. You can obtain it by going to ourdailybread.org. Here is one we enjoyed, Wednesday June 8, 2022


“Researchers tell us there’s a link between generosity and joy: those who give their money and time to others are happier than those who don’t. This has led one psychologist to conclude, “Let’s stop thinking about giving as a moral obligation, and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure.”

While giving can make us happy, I question whether happiness should be the goal. If we’re only generous to people or causes that make us feel good, what about the more difficult or mundane needs requiring our support?

Scripture links generosity with joy too, but on a different basis. After giving his own wealth toward building the temple, King David invited the Israelites to also donate (1 Chronicles 29:1-5). The people responded generously, giving gold, silver, and precious stones joyously. But notice what their joy was over: “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to meet a need” (Verse 9). Joy often follows.

As missionaries know, it can be easier to raise funds for evangelism than for administration because believers in Jesus like the feeling of funding frontline work. Let’s be generous toward the needs, as well. After all, Jesus freely gave himself to meet our needs (2 Corinthians 8:9).

NOTE: Used without permission.

HEART DEPOSIT:
Why do you think generosity and joy are connected? 
What “unexciting need” could benefit from your generous giving?

RELATED VERSE:
“Bring in the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need”.  Malachi 3:10 NASB