Last month I spoke on generosity, happiness, and Heaven at my home church, Good Shepherd Community Church. This is a message that’s close to my heart.
Yes, giving is a duty we are called to, and I don’t minimize that, but ultimately my message was about the happiness of giving. We instinctively imagine that spending money on ourselves will make us happiest. But our greatest joy comes when we give to others. It really is true what Jesus said: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35, GNT). You might have heard that verse translated “It is more blessed to give than receive,” but the well-documented fact is that the Greek word makarios here, translated “blessed,” really means “happy” or “happy-making.”
Notice what Jesus did not say: “Naturally, we’re happier when we receive than when we give, but giving is a duty, so grit your teeth, make the sacrifice, and force yourself to give.”
Money won’t make us happy, but giving away money can make us profoundly happy! When we give out of love for Christ and others, we experience dramatic and lasting returns for the investments we’ve made—far more than if we’d kept or spent it. Therefore, it’s not only receivers who come out ahead—it’s givers, too.
Hope you enjoy this message:
And here are the segments, if you wish to jump to any of them:
0:00 - The Beginning of Good Shepherd Community Church
1:25 - Paul’s Words in Acts 20:32-35
Paul gives some final words regarding how he worked hard as a missionary and as a layperson in order to provide for his own needs as well as the needs of the poor. He shares Jesus’ words that happiness comes from giving.
9:00 - Caring about the Right Kind of Gain
Are the things you’re devoting your life to going to make a difference for eternity?
11:10 - When Believers Rob Themselves of Joy
Sometimes secular people discover the joy of giving. while believers miss out because they don’t believe Jesus’ words about the happy-making nature of generosity.
12:49 - It's Smart to Give
Science shows the truth that giving to others does indeed make people happier.
14:29 - The Dangers of Wealth
Randy shares 12 warnings about the dangers of wealth, from 1 Timothy 6:9-11.
18:40 - The Solution to the Problem of Materialism
1 Timothy 6:17 helps us understand the joy that comes from finding our security in God, rather than our wealth. We can enjoy what God has provided, while still being generous with our money.
24:32 – Giving Generously and Cheerfully
Generous giving brings happiness in life now, not just in eternity. God wants us to learn to be a cheerful giver.
29:52 – Randy’s Personal Story of Giving
Randy shares the joy that has come from giving away the royalties of his books. He contrasts this with the false teaching of the prosperity theology.
35:38 – We Are God’s Delivery People
Don’t assume that because God puts wealth in your hands that He intends for you to keep it.
38:03 – The Lightning of God’s Grace in Our Lives, and the Thunder of Our Giving in Response
If we know the grace of God, giving is a natural response. As thunder follows lightning, so giving follows grace.
42:01 – Do You Have a Heart for the Things of God?
Your heart will naturally follow where your money goes just as Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21.
47:48 – A Story of Great Generosity
Randy reads a story from his book Giving Is the Good Life about a family that was blessed in business with great wealth, and how they built a legacy of generous giving.
56:18 – Increasing Your Giving, and Passing on a Vision of Generosity to the Next Generation
Randy shares some suggestions on how to increase your generosity, and some thoughts about giving inheritances to grown children.
58:38 – Our Testimonies of Giving Can Bring Praise to God
There is a time for giving stories, told in humility to bring praise to God. When we do so, we follow Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, by letting our light shine so our good deeds bring glory to God.
1:02:42 – Next Steps in the Generosity Journey
Randy offers some suggestions for moving forward in giving. He shares some questions we should ask ourselves to grow in our thinking about generosity.
May the end of 2025, and the start of 2026, find you focused on the person and work of Christ!
Note from Eternal Perspective Ministries
If you've found our books, articles, social media posts, and/or magazine to be helpful, would you prayerfully consider supporting EPM and being a part of this eternity-shaping ministry in 2026? If you wish to make a year-end, tax-deductible donation, please note donations postmarked no later than December 31, or received online by 11:59 p.m. PT on December 31, will be included on this year’s tax receipts.
However, we’re here to serve everyone without cost, so please don’t feel obligated to give to us. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). It’s our privilege and joy to share freely what God has so graciously given us.
