The Path to Happiness Through Generosity

Today, we gathered as a community at Hickory Flat Church, celebrating the gift of being together and the movement of God among us. After returning from a transformative mission trip to Costa Rica, I was reminded of how much more we often receive than we give, and how our lives are shaped by the experiences and people God places in our path. We began our time by affirming our faith and remembering the vows we make—not just as members of a church, but as disciples: to serve with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. These are not mere obligations, but the very path by which we grow in Christ.

A central theme today was the universal longing for happiness. If you ask people what they want most in life, the answer is almost always happiness. Yet, despite living in a country with so much, we find ourselves increasingly unhappy. Jesus’ teachings challenge our assumptions about what brings fulfillment. Contrary to the world’s strategies—seeking happiness through accumulation, status, or power—Jesus points us to a different way: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Generosity, not acquisition, is the path to the abundant life God desires for us.

We explored Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, where he warns against storing up treasures on earth and instead calls us to invest in treasures in heaven. The issue is not the desire for treasure, but where we place it. When our hearts are set on earthly things, we are ruled by fear or greed. But when we embrace a mindset of abundance—trusting in God’s provision—we are freed to live generously. Jesus’ metaphor of the “healthy eye” is about seeing the world through the lens of generosity rather than scarcity.

Generosity is not transactional; it is transformational. It is not about giving to get something in return, but about allowing God to shape our hearts. As we practice generosity, we are changed from the inside out, moving from fear and self-preservation to trust and joy. This transformation is rooted in God’s own generosity to us, most fully revealed in the gift of Jesus Christ. As we shared in Holy Communion, we remembered that we are part of a global community, united by God’s grace and called to be witnesses of Christ’s peace and love in the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True happiness is found not in acquiring more, but in giving more. The world’s strategies for fulfillment—wealth, status, and power—leave us empty, but Jesus reveals that generosity is the path to the abundant life we all seek. When we give freely, we experience a joy and satisfaction that cannot be bought or manufactured. [47:20]
• 2. Our relationship with money is a window into the state of our hearts. Jesus teaches that where our treasure is, our hearts will follow. Money is not just a neutral tool; it has the power to shape our desires, fears, and loyalties, revealing what we truly value and trust. [53:18]
• 3. The way we see the world—through eyes of abundance or scarcity—shapes our capacity for generosity. A healthy, generous eye trusts in God’s provision and sees opportunities to bless others, while an unhealthy, stingy eye is ruled by fear of not having enough. This mindset shift is essential for living out the gospel. [57:51]
• 4. Generosity is not a one-time act, but a lifelong practice that transforms us. Most of us must grow into generosity, learning to trust God more deeply and to let go of fear and greed. As we do, we become people marked by joy, trust, and a readiness to bless others. [62:33]
• 5. God’s generosity is the foundation and model for our own. In Christ, God has given us everything—life, forgiveness, and community. As we receive these gifts, especially in the sacrament of Holy Communion, we are reminded that we are part of a global family, called to reflect God’s generosity to the world. [66:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:24] - Gathering in Community
• [13:49] - Reflections from Costa Rica Mission
• [15:20] - Call to Worship and Praise
• [26:45] - Affirming Our Faith: Apostles Creed
• [28:09] - The Path of Discipleship: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness
• [33:14] - Serving in the Church and Community
• [41:24] - Living for More: The Gift of Abundant Life
• [42:30] - The Universal Pursuit of Happiness
• [45:19] - Jesus’ Countercultural Teachings on Happiness
• [47:20] - The Blessing of Generosity
• [49:33] - Generosity and Discipleship: Not Transactional
• [53:18] - Treasures in Heaven: Where is Your Heart?
• [57:51] - Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset
• [59:06] - Who Do You Serve: God or Money?
• [60:06] - Four Lessons on Generosity
• [63:37] - God’s Generosity in Christ
• [66:07] - Communion: A Global Community
• [72:00] - Invitation to Holy Communion
• [80:58] - Announcements and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:19-24 (ESV) — “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Matthew 6, what is the main problem with storing up treasures on earth?
2. What does Jesus mean when he says, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”?
3. In the sermon, what does the “healthy eye” represent, and how does it relate to generosity? [[56:52]]
4. What are the two “masters” Jesus says we cannot serve at the same time? [[59:06]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus connect our hearts so closely to our money and possessions? What does this reveal about what we truly value? [[53:18]]
2. The sermon says generosity is not transactional, but transformational. What does it mean for generosity to change us from the inside out, rather than just being about what we get in return? [[49:33]]
3. How does having a mindset of abundance versus a mindset of scarcity affect the way we see opportunities to give or bless others? [[57:51]]
4. The pastor shared that even though we live in a country with so much, people are increasingly unhappy. How does Jesus’ teaching challenge our assumptions about what brings happiness? [[45:19]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Think about a recent time you gave to someone else—how did it affect your sense of happiness or fulfillment? Is there a way you could practice this kind of giving more regularly? [[47:20]]
2. Jesus teaches that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If someone looked at your bank statement or calendar, what would they say you value most? Is there anything you feel prompted to change? [[53:18]]
3. The “healthy eye” is about seeing the world through generosity, not scarcity. Are there areas in your life where you tend to see “not enough” instead of “God will provide”? How could you shift your perspective this week? [[57:51]]
4. The pastor said that generosity is a lifelong practice, not a one-time act. What is one small, specific step you could take this week to grow in generosity—whether with your time, money, or attention? [[01:02:33]]
5. The sermon reminded us that God’s generosity is the foundation for our own. When you think about what God has given you—life, forgiveness, community—how does that inspire you to be generous with others? [[01:06:07]]
6. During Holy Communion, we remember we are part of a global family. Is there a way you could show generosity to someone outside your usual circle this week—maybe someone from a different background, culture, or need? [[01:06:07]]
7. The pastor shared about the mission trip to Costa Rica and how much more the team received than they gave. Have you ever experienced a time when serving or giving ended up blessing you more than you expected? What did you learn from that experience? [[13:49]]