Generosity 01: There is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving

The practice of generosity, and specifically our open-handedness with money, is not a peripheral issue in the teachings of Jesus. It is a central aspect of our apprenticeship to him. It is also a counterintuitive pathway to joy.

Jesus’ teaching on money and possessions sound absurd or even reckless to our modern ears. Yet social science over the last few decades attests to his wisdom: Generous people are happier, healthier, have stronger immune systems, and even laugh more often.

In Episode 01 of the Generosity Season, John Mark Comer and Christian Dawson discuss the paradox of generosity, two competing mindsets around giving, and simple steps to free our hearts from the fear and slavery of money. Along the way they unpack key passages like Matthew 6 and Genesis 3 to shed light on the happy, generous God revealed in scripture.

This podcast accompanies the Generosity Practice, a four-session experience designed to help integrate generosity in your community. Learn more at practicingtheway.org/generosity. Thanks to The Circle and other givers, all our resources are free. To learn more about The Circle, visit practicingtheway.org/give. To run a Practice with your church or small group, visit practicingtheway.org/resources.