Giving Is the Good Life

1. Generosity is the True Good Life

“living large” actually makes us smaller. Living “the good life” (as our culture defines it) results in missing the best life.

Countercultural truth. The world screams that accumulating money and spending it on yourself is the path to happiness and the "good life." However, this is a profound lie. Jesus taught a radical truth: "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving" (Acts 20:35). This paradox reveals that true joy and deep satisfaction are found in generosity, not in self-indulgence.

Beyond basic needs. While money is necessary for basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing, beyond this point, it can easily become detrimental. Debt-funded lifestyles, for instance, often lead to depression, anxiety, and stress—the very opposite of a good life. Greed and stinginess are, in fact, perfect recipes for misery.

God's design. Generosity is God's best for us, designed to expand and enhance our lives. It's an adventure that brings lasting pleasure and extends beyond this life into eternity. Scientific studies, like those by sociologists Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson, confirm that giving is positively correlated with greater personal happiness, physical health, and a stronger sense of purpose.

2. Material Wealth Cannot Buy Happiness

One thing is clear: what’s relentlessly advertised and sold to us as the good life is not the abundant life Jesus promised.

The illusion of abundance. Despite widespread belief, money, fame, and possessions do not guarantee happiness. The tragic stories of celebrities like Owen Wilson, or the fact that the prosperous United States has a higher per capita suicide rate than war-torn Sudan, starkly illustrate this point. Jesus explicitly warned, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15).

The rich fool's folly. Jesus' parable of the rich fool highlights the danger of earthly accumulation. The man planned for years of ease, but God called him a "fool" because he failed to prepare for the inevitability of death and judgment. His success in the world's eyes counted for nothing in God's eternal perspective.

• The rich fool's philosophy: "Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!"
• God's judgment: "You fool! Tonight you will die."
• The lesson: Laying up treasure for oneself, not being rich toward God, is foolish.

Spiritual bankruptcy. Materialism, though often disguised as the "good life," can lead to spiritual bankruptcy. It suffocates, crushes, and blocks our connection with Jesus. True life comes from God, and it's a vibrant, overflowing existence that can be experienced even amidst difficult circumstances, as seen in the joyful woman with a severe limp.

3. God Owns Everything; We Are Stewards

Everything that I have and everything that I am has come from God, and belongs to God, and I am a steward of it.

Divine ownership. The foundational truth for generous living is recognizing that God owns everything. Scripture repeatedly affirms this: "The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). We are not owners, but merely stewards—managers entrusted with God's assets. Our role is to handle His resources with integrity, consulting Him on their use.

The steward's responsibility. As God's stewards, we are accountable for how we manage His possessions. "It is required of stewards that they be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). Failing to acknowledge God's ownership turns us into embezzlers, using what belongs to Him for our own purposes. This understanding is a powerful antidote to pride and possessiveness.

Rethinking "rich." Most readers, by global and historical standards, are "rich." A family at the U.S. poverty level is still in the top 2% of global income. This means the biblical commands to the rich, like those in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, apply directly to us. God entrusts us with wealth not for our excessive indulgence, but so we can "abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

4. Love Demands Generous Action

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Love in action. Jesus' greatest commands are to love God and love our neighbor. This love is not merely a sentiment but an active, tangible expression. "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth" (1 John 3:18). Whether it's caring for the physically poor or sharing the gospel with the spiritually impoverished, genuine love always involves giving of ourselves and our resources.

God's example. God Himself is the ultimate giver, demonstrating His love by giving His "one and only Son" (John 3:16). If we claim to love God, we must follow His example. To withhold our compassion and resources from those in need is to withhold God's love from them.

• Love means finding a way to help the hungry child.
• Love means giving time and money to care for a stranger.
• Love means sharing the good news of Jesus.

The cheerful giver. While giving is a command, God desires it to come from a place of joy. "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). This cheerfulness stems from the understanding that giving brings greater happiness than receiving, a truth supported by both Scripture and modern research. Our hearts are wired to find joy in serving others.

5. Giving is an Eternal Investment

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Sending it ahead. Unlike earthly treasures that are subject to moth, rust, and thieves, giving allows us to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). This is the "Treasure Principle": you can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead. What we give to God's Kingdom is immediately "touched with immortality," becoming secure and yielding eternal dividends.

Incomparable returns. Investing in God's Kingdom offers an "Eternal Return on Investment" (EROI) that far surpasses any earthly gain. Paul encouraged the Philippians to give, not because he needed their gifts, but "that more be credited to your account" (Philippians 4:17). This eternal gain includes:

• God Himself as our primary treasure.
• Heaven as our secure dwelling place.
• Eternal rewards, such as positions of service and cherished relationships.

A joyful trade. The parable of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44) illustrates the joy of trading everything for something infinitely more valuable. The rich young man, however, tragically clung to his earthly wealth, missing out on true, lasting gain. Giving is not a loss, but a strategic exchange of temporary currency for imperishable wealth.

6. Contentment is Found in God, Not Possessions

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

True wealth redefined. In a world obsessed with material accumulation, true wealth is found in "godliness with contentment" (1 Timothy 6:6). This means being satisfied in whose you are (God's), who you are (a child of God), and what you have (His provision). This contentment is not dependent on favorable circumstances or material abundance, but on God's unwavering presence and love.

A learned skill. Contentment does not come naturally; it must be learned. The Apostle Paul, despite facing extreme circumstances, declared, "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have" (Philippians 4:11). This learning involves a determined resolution to trust in Christ as our sufficiency, recognizing that He will never abandon us.

Empty-handed. We enter and leave this world with nothing (1 Timothy 6:7). Clinging to possessions is a futile attempt to take what cannot be taken. The knowledge that money and things cannot truly satisfy us frees us to look to Jesus, who alone is sufficient for all our needs. When we have basic food, clothing, and shelter, we have all we truly need.

7. Flee Money-Love; Pursue Godliness

Fleeing money-love brings freedom from bondage, insecurity, uncertainty, worry, emptiness, and confusion.

Run for your life. Paul's command to "flee from all this" (1 Timothy 6:11)—referring to the ruin and destruction caused by the love of money—is a dramatic call to action. It's the same urgency as "flee from sexual immorality." Money-love is a dangerous detour that subtly lures believers away from their faith, leading to spiritual wandering and self-inflicted grief.

The pursuit of virtue. Instead of chasing wealth, we are commanded to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). These virtues, fruits of the Holy Spirit, are obtainable through God's power and lead to a life of true abundance. This is the "good fight of the faith," a spiritual discipline against the allure of materialism.

Grasping eternal life. We are called to "take hold of the eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12), which is not just a future destination but a vibrant, high-quality life that begins now. This means actively embracing God's promises and investing in His Kingdom, rather than clinging to the fleeting pleasures and false promises of this world. Our giving helps us grasp this true life.

8. Be Rich in Good Deeds and Ready to Share

Your plenty will supply what they need. . . . You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.

A four-part command. God instructs the rich to "do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share" (1 Timothy 6:18). This isn't vague advice but a clear mandate for active benevolence. "Doing good" is the verb form of "goodness," which in the New Testament often implies active generosity and helping others in their necessity.

Redefining riches. Being "rich in good deeds" means shifting our focus from accumulating earthly wealth to accumulating acts of kindness and service. This redefines what true riches are, trading temporary possessions for eternal impact. God prepares good works for us to do, and our obedience in these works pleases Him and brings rewards.

Proactive generosity. Being "ready to share" means taking initiative, not waiting for others to ask for help. It's about actively looking for opportunities to serve and give, whether through financial contributions, time, energy, or skills. This proactive approach transforms giving into a joyful adventure, connecting our hearts to those we serve and to God's purposes.

9. Embrace the "Life That Is Truly Life" Now

In this way [through generous giving] they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Immediate payoff. The ultimate purpose of generous giving is not just future rewards, but to enable us to "take hold of the life that is truly life" right now (1 Timothy 6:19). This authentic, contented, and vibrant life is granted by Jesus, the source of all life. It requires consciously saying no to the false promises of materialism and embracing God's truth.

Strategic living. Strategic living and giving bring gladness and purpose. Instead of merely "living simply," which doesn't automatically benefit others, we are called to "give generously so that others may live." This means using our resources to actively meet needs, whether local or global, and to further God's Kingdom.

• Drew Formsma's spontaneous gift card and bold advice brought immediate joy.
• The Loefflers' radical commitment to adoption led to a deeper understanding of God's heart.
• Matt McPherson built a business to fund missionaries, finding profound purpose.

A firm foundation. Our generous giving lays a "firm foundation for the coming age" (1 Timothy 6:19). This foundation is not just strong but beautiful, reflecting the glorious New Earth described in Revelation. It's a life built on the bedrock of Christ and obedience, secure against the storms of this world.

10. You Cannot Out-Give God

Generosity is fun! There is no way you can know how much fun it is until you’re there.

The gift of giving. God has likely given you the spiritual gift of giving, especially if you have access to resources beyond basic needs. This gift, often overlooked, is crucial for fulfilling God's plan of world evangelization and meeting global suffering. Now is the time for "giving warriors" to rise and cheerfully underwrite the costs of spreading the gospel.

Boomerang effect. Generous giving does not lead to scarcity; it leads to abundance. Jesus promised, "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap" (Luke 6:38). God delights in outgiving us, often providing in unexpected ways, like a washing machine that keeps working or an unexpected financial windfall.

Give now. Don't postpone giving until you're out of debt or have more money. Delayed giving is delayed obedience. While leaving an inheritance is good, giving generously during your lifetime allows you to experience God's favor, see your faith at work, and avoid the potential corrupting influence of unearned wealth on future generations.

• Cliff Benson Sr. & Jr. found joy in starting a business with the intent to give away half its earnings.
• Gerard and Geraldine Low of Singapore consistently test God's provision by sticking to their giving commitments, even in financial crises.

Eternal perspective. Our choices today, especially regarding our resources, write our eternal autobiography. We have a limited window to invest in what truly lasts: God, His Word, and His people. By giving generously, we close the gap between what we are giving now and what we will one day wish we had given, embracing the abundant life that begins today and lasts forever.

Last updated: August 8, 2025