Benefits of Generosity

We have all heard how rewarding it is to be generous. The hand that gives is more blessed than the hand that receives. 

Almost all religions agree on the concept of generosity.

The research conducted on generosity yielded surprising results. All researchers agreed that special benefits come from giving, not just taking.

Being generous in life impacts your life in a very positive way. People with high levels of generosity reap the best benefits of it. 

“If we want the full positive effect of generosity, we have to make it a lifestyle.” – Michael Hyatt

 

Benefits of generosity for the society

 

When a person is generous, he gives whatever he can without expecting anything in return. 

Along with mental and physical benefits to an individual, generosity also offers many benefits to society. 

Let us see below some of the benefits of generosity for society.

 

1) Satisfied society as a whole

Generous people tend to be more satisfied in their lives.

It is not about a single aspect of life but all the aspects.

When people are satisfied, they build a society that lives peacefully. 

“It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau

 

2) People form friendly relationships

In a generous society where many people live together, they form friendly relationships.

They come forward when someone else is in need. 

Generous people care for their neighbors and family, and friends. Whether someone needs to go to a hospital, get dropped at a nearby spot, or maybe need help in daily life stuff. 

When people care for each other, this helps to build a society that lives together with friendly relations.

People with high generosity tend to develop deeper ties with each other. 

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – John Holmes

 

3) People are happy and content in their lives

When most of the people living in a society are generous, society becomes happy and content. 

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan

 

4) Positive outlook of a society

A more positive outlook on society develops when people are generous.

Generous people focus more on giving than taking. This makes a community get rid of all the evil. 

“Generosity is not in giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is in giving me that which you need more than I do.” – Kahlil Gibran, Sand and Foam

 

5) Satisfied people of society

When people of a society are generous, they feel satisfied with whatever they have.

People who envy more can’t be generous enough. Being content with what you have makes you generous. 

This helps build a society with less crime and evil.

Generosity spreads happiness among all people. Those who receive and those who give all remain content in their lives. 

“The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.” – Carol Ryrie Brink, Caddie Woodlawn’s Family

 

6) People with higher self-esteem

Generous people have higher self-esteem, and their confidence level also increases.

People with higher self-esteem tend to be more focused on their life goals. They never fail and become successful. 

This will eventually build a society where all the people are successful in their respective fields. 

 

7) Physically and mentally healthy people in the society

Generous people are healthier, physically and mentally.

This is because they don’t focus on negative aspects. They are happier in all situations and always try to make others happy.

Hopelessness, depression, and anxiety do not attack them. 

Generous people make a healthy society where everyone is mentally and physically at ease. 

“That’s what I consider true generosity: You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” Simone de Beauvoir

 

8) The society that makes a difference in the world

Generous people build a society that makes a difference in the world.

They make this world a better place to live. They contribute to all the good and stay away from evil.

They bring happiness, love, and joy to others. 

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Anonymous, The Holy Bible: King James Version

 

9) Cooperative people

Generosity helps society by making all the people cooperate.

These people feel less lonely and depressed. They make their inner self happy and content by making others happier. 

“Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone’s day.” Richelle E. Goodrich

 

10) It is contagious 

Generosity is contagious.

Being in the company of a generous person will also make you generous.

From a single generous person in a society, all the people take inspiration.

This is the same as creating a ripple effect. 

“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.” Ronald Reagan.

 

Benefits of generosity in relationships

 

Generosity is not a one-time act.

To be generous, a person has to practice generosity in all aspects of life.

We need to make it our lifestyle. 

“True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached. No expectations. Time and love are the most valuable possession you can share.” Suze Orman

Like all the other social benefits, generosity also offers us many benefits in our relationships. 

 

Some of them are listed below.

a) Being generous makes you selfless. You think more about people than yourself. You give priority to others’ needs and try to make them happy. 

b) Generosity makes you an internally satisfied person. This satisfaction of yours will make you give more in a relationship. If you don’t feel satisfied, you will always feel insecure in your relationships. 

c) It becomes easy for a generous person to forgive in a relationship making relationships last longer. 

d) Generous people do not keep grudges in their hearts. They try and forget whatever they feel is wrong about the person. This habit helps in developing a purer form of relationship.

e) As mentioned earlier, generosity is contagious. When one person in a relationship is generous, it will eventually make the other one generous too. This will help both partners to benefit equally. 

f) Paying real attention to your partner is also a form of generosity. It also makes your relationship healthier. 

g) There is less anxiety and stress in a relationship where people are generous. 

h) Generosity spreads positivity. The positive mindset of the partners will lead to a successful relationship. 

i) Generosity helps you focus on the strengths of your partner. 

j) Generosity has the power to make relationships stable. 

 

Psychological benefits of generosity

 

A generous person gains a lot of psychological benefits. Some of them are: 

a) A generous person will notice a significant improvement in his mood.

b) If you recently faced any grief or loss and are unable to become stable again. Being generous can help you cope with it easily. 

c) A sense of purpose develops for generous people.

d) Generous people are mentally satisfied. 

e) Giving without expecting anything in return makes that part of your brain active that controls happiness. 

f) Generous people are selfless. They don’t expect anything from anyone. They focus on giving.

g) Practicing generosity can be one of the most satisfying things for your mental health. 

h) Generous people rarely feel depressed. Anxiety is not part of their lives.

i) Generous people have a high level of self-esteem. 

 

Health and physical benefits of generosity

 

Generosity offers a lot of health and physical benefits too. Some of them are:

 

1) A longer life

Some studies have proved that people who live a generous life live longer. They tend to have fewer diseases, so they live long healthy lives. 

Even if a person already has heart disease, he should practice generosity. This will make his condition less intense because he will start feeling happier and more content in his life. 

 People who remain stressed and tired spend most of their life thinking negatively. Generous people are content people. Hence they live longer.

 

2) Better physical health

Generous people don’t expect anything in return. They believe in giving.

They work voluntarily. This leads to better mental and physical health. 

Volunteers tend to have less belly fat, lower blood pressure, better cholesterol levels, and lower blood sugar.

So this means generous people will have better physical health and remain active most of their lives.

 

3) Getting rid of anxiety and depression

Generosity helps in lessening anxiety and depression. It even helps in coping with the grief or loss of your loved one.

This becomes possible because generous people try to keep others happy.

They stay happy in the happiness of others. So they are less likely to feel depressed and stressed. 

 

4) Greater self-esteem and a satisfying life

Generous people are more satisfied and content in their lives.

They have a high level of confidence and greater self-esteem. 

  

Benefits of generosity in Islam

 

Generosity is encouraged in Islam. Allah (SWT) rewards a generous person who spends his wealth, energy, and time to help others immensely. 

There are a lot of benefits of generosity in Islam.

Some of them are mentioned below.

1) By being generous, a Muslim invests in his future. Allah (SWT) will reward every generous act of a Muslim in this world and the hereafter. 

“Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reproaches and affronts, they shall have their reward near their lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.” (Quran 2: 262)

 

2) Every good act of a Muslim that benefits others counts as generosity. It can be showing kindness towards others or spending time, energy, or wealth. 

“Never will you attain the good (reward) until you spend (in the way of Allah) from which you love..” (Quran 3: 92)

 

3) A generous person achieves Allah’s pleasure and his blessings.

 “Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah (SWT) promises you forgiveness from Him and Bounty. And Allah (SWT) is all-Encompassing and knowing.” (Quran Al-Baqarah: 268)

 

4) Generosity is a way of getting away from hellfire and getting paradise as a reward. 

“The prophet Muhammad (SAW) said,

“Protect yourself from the hellfire even by giving a piece of a date as charity.” (Hadith Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

 

5) Generous people help others in need. This way, Allah (SWT) blesses them with His help when they are in need. All the obstacles get removed from their path by Allah’s support.

“Those who give their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, they shall have their reward near their lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.” (Quran Surah Al-Baqarah: 274)

 

6) If a person is generous in spending his wealth for the sake of Allah (SWT), he should never be afraid of getting broke. Allah (SWT) will increase him in wealth many folds. 

“… and He will repay whatever you may spend and He is the Best of all Providers.” (Quran 34:39)

“Indeed those who recite the Book of Allah (Quran) and maintain the prayer, and spend secretly and openly out of what We have provided them, expect a commerce that will never go bankrupt.” (Quran 35:29)

 

 

Benefits of generosity in the Bible

 

Bible mentions lots of benefits of generosity.

Some of them are as under:

 

1) It is a simple act of kindness

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

Bible teaches that sharing whatever you have is the simplest act of generosity.

Teaching this to your children from the very beginning is important. 

 

2) It’s all about love

“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)

 Bible teaches us that generosity is all about love.

When we are generous to someone, it shows our purity of heart and affection towards the other person. 

 

3) Generosity is not only about money

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)

Bible teaches us that spending money is not the only way to show generosity to someone.

Spending your energy, time, and effort is also a way to be generous. 

 

4) Trust God 

“Command those who are rich in this world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment…” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Bible teaches us that one should only place trust in God’s hands.

Trusting your wealth and all your belongings is not a wise thing to do.

Only God is the one who provides; no man has such power.

So it is best to spend your time, money, and energy instead of just trying to collect everything.

 

5) Generosity is a blessing

“… remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Generosity is a blessing.

It does not only benefit the one who receives but also the one who gives.

A generous person loses nothing but gains many things.