What Makes Us Feel Good?

Researchers say that people who give their money and time to others are happier than those who don’t. While giving can make us happy, I wonder if happiness should be our goal. Giving can make us feel good, but there are difficult situations that require our support.

In I Chronicles 29:1-5, King David invited the Israelites to donate. Verses 6-8 tell us the people gave joyously, but it is important to realize why they gave. Verse 9 says, “They gave freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.” The Israelites gave gold, silver and precious stones. I Chronicles 29 shows King David passing the throne on to Solomon. David’s life was marked by conflict, but Solomon, whose name means “peace,” would have a different kind of rule. The “golden age” of Solomon would see Israel attain prosperity and influence. Solomon’s reign was marked by large building projects, including the temple and his palace.

Scripture never tells us to give because it will make us happy but to give willingly to meet a need. When we give to meet a need, joy often follows. Raising money for evangelism can often be easier than for administration. We are called to be generous towards the needs of others. Jesus freely gave himself to meet our needs. (II Corinthians 8:9)

Prayer – Thank you God for the “joy” found in giving. Give me a generous heart toward all needs, especially ordinary needs. Amen!

I Chronicles 29:9 – “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.”

Author: The Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Jackalope West & Clay Banks, courtesy of Unsplash