So a few days ago in the UK a happiness movement was launched. There’s a few things worth noting here. Firstly the movement rejects materialism as a basis for happiness.

“Despite massive material progress, people in Britain and the US are no happier than they were 50 years ago, while there are many societies in which people are much happier than in Britain. Rejecting a societal focus on materialism and self-obsessed individualism, the movement instead prioritizes healthy relationships with others and meaningful activities as a means to happier living.”

I’d agree with that. People matter more than possessions. Ironically however Foreign Policy have an article that inverts the equation suggesting that ‘happy people will be more financially successful.’

Of course that begs the question, how can I be happy? You could download your happiness action pack and start there or you could turn to a more ancient source of wisdom (Matthew 5:3-12 for example).

So while in America a debate rumbles on about tithing which sets a figure, a rule, a measure and a box to tick. Can you really tick a box marked ‘generous’? The key remains delighting in giving.

As Karen observes that through giving we discover that ‘Isn’t it great to know that you have the power and ability to put a smile on somebody’s face.’ We can be happy by making others happy and investing in people.

We can discover joy by investing in the kingdom putting our treasures into something other than ourselves (Mt 6:21). So remind yourself to take one more step on a journey towards generosity.