They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their dignity will be lifted high in honor.
Psalm 112:9
There is something very surprising about generosity; it makes people feel better to give money away than to earn money. In a 2017 study performed at UC Berkeley, volunteer test subjects were connected to brain scanners and the particular area of the brain that factored risk and reward was emphasized. These test subjects were offered real money and given the option to have the money wired directly to their bank account or donated to the charity of their choice. Not surprisingly, the test subjects who had the money wired to their own bank accounts felt moderately rewarded. Interestingly though, the test subjects who had the money donated to a charity of their choice felt even a greater sense or reward and satisfaction.
A point of distinction must be made; all of these test subjects were socioeconomically between lower-middle and upper-middle class. This meant that as long as people had enough money to live comfortably, any extra money beyond their relative need did not make much impact in the quality of their lives. The ways where people can experience true reward and satisfaction was in altruism and generosity. But the thing is, generosity needs to be habitual. We cannot give to charity or church once a year and think that will leave feeling fulfilled.
So the next time you feel empty, unrewarded, or unsatisfied with life, ask yourself, “When was the last time I gave?”
