Generous Givers Are Happy People - HOW TO BE HAPPY

Jesus wants us to find happiness by being generous.  Many people react favorably to generosity.  "Practice giving, and people will give to you,"  he urged/  "They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing.  For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return."  (Luke 6:38)  Of course, not all respond positively to our generous giving, but when they do, their gratitude can start a chain reaction.  So practice whether people seem to appreciated it or not.  You never know how much good you can do with just one act of generosity. 

Truly generous people do not give in order to get something in return. Jesus had this mind when he taught: "When you spread a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; and you will be happy, because they have nothing in which to repay you." (Luke 14:13, 14)  "The generous person will be blessed," said one inspired writer.  Another said:  "Happy is anyone who shows consideration to the lowly one."  (Proverbs 22:9; Psalm 41:1)  Indeed, we should give because we derive pleasure for helping others. 

When Paul quoted Jesus' words, "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."  Paul was referring not only to sharing material things but also to giving encouragement, guidance, and assistance to those in need of these.  (Acts 20:31-35)  By word and example, the apostle taught us to give of ourselves-our time, our energy, our attention, our love.

Researchers in the field of social sciences have also observed that giving makes people happy. According to one article,  "people report a significant happiness boost after doing kind deeds for others."  Helping others, researchers say, is important to developing "a greater sense of purpose that people volunteer for public service to enhance their own health and happiness.  This comes as no surprise to those who accept the Bible as the Word of mankind's loving Designer, Jehovah. -2 Timothy 3:16, 17. 

Next time: Generous Givers Are Happy People - KEEP CULTIVATING GENEROSITY

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