Generosity and Joy 慷慨与喜乐
Dexu Xia
The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 29:9
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 (vv. 6–8). 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 the Lord” (v. 9, italics added). Scripture never tells us to give because it will make us happy but to give willingly and wholeheartedly to meet a need. 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 other needs as well. After all, Jesus freely gave Himself to meet our needs (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Why do you think generosity and joy are connected? What “unexciting” need could benefit from your generous giving?
Father God, thank You for the joy found in giving. Give me a generous heart even toward ordinary needs.
因这些人诚心乐意献给耶和华，百姓就欢喜。—历代志上29章9节
研究人员告诉我们，慷慨与快乐之间是有关联的：那些为人付出金钱与时间的人，会比不愿付出的人快乐。一位心理学家依据这个说法做出了一个结论：“不要再将给予和付出当作一种道德义务，而要将之视为快乐的来源。”
虽然给予能使我们快乐，但得到快乐或许不应该成为我们的目的。若我们只为那些能令自己感觉良好的事而慷慨解囊，那么我们会大方地支持那些更艰难或平凡无奇的事吗？
圣经也将慷慨与喜乐连接起来，但连接的基础不同。大卫王为建造圣殿而献上自己的财物之后，也呼吁以色列百姓积极奉献（历代志上29章1-5节）。人民反应热烈，慷慨献上金银和宝石（6-8节）。但他们为何感到喜乐呢？圣经说：“因这些人诚心乐意献给耶和华，百姓就欢喜”（9节）。圣经从没告诉我们奉献是为了使自己快乐，而是说我们要诚心乐意地献上，以满足需求，喜乐往往会随之而来。
许多宣教士都知道，为传福音筹集资金会比为行政管理筹集资金来得容易，因为基督徒更喜欢那种资助前线工作的良好感觉。但愿我们不仅限于此，而是对其他的需求也同样能慷慨解囊。毕竟，耶稣是为了我们的需要而甘心乐意地献上自己（哥林多后书8章9节）。
你认为慷慨与喜乐有关联吗？为什么呢？
有何“平凡无奇”的需求能
因你慷慨捐助而获益？
当我们诚心乐意地顺服上帝时，就会发现自己正逐渐拥有超乎想像的生命。
天父，谢谢祢让我因给予而得喜乐。
求祢让我对那些平凡的需求，也同样慷慨解囊。