Doing good does us good (or it does us good to do good, however you want to word it).  

The science of generosity provides us evidence supporting Jesus’ teaching that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20, 35).   

Numerous studies have emphasized a positive correlation between generosity and physical and psychological health, to include subjective experiences of well-being and happiness (Allen, 2018).  

And, believe it or not, we are all naturally inclined to be generous, as are other species (Allen, 2018). Genetic, biological, developmental, and cultural factors all contribute to our tendency towards generosity.  From an evolutionary perspective, generosity feels good because it is necessary for survival.  So to a certain extent, we are wired for it.    However, it’s not all about nature.  Nurture plays a fundamental role as well.  Parenting practices, family structure, a sense of social connectedness, and group affiliation are just some of the social factors that influence generosity, not to mention that generosity is also considered socially contagious (Allen, 2018).  

However, generosity is not only fueled by the feel good systems in our brain.  It is also triggered by the orbitofrontal cortex which, at least in part, is involved in determining the value of our decisions (Allen, 2018). Generosity, then, is not exclusively a pleasure-producing selfish act.  We also engage in generous behaviors when these behaviors align with valued social ideals, such as equity and charity, even when these behaviors involve a certain level of sacrifice (Zaki & Mitchell, 2011).  

So even though generosity does us good, it doesn’t always feel good.  From here, the call to love our enemies (Matthew 5, 44) and to not let our right hand know what our left hand does (Matthew 6, 3).  

Generosity will always be connected to some level of personal gain, and that’s ok.  Nature and nurture will continue to do their thing, as they always do.  Nevertheless, we must be aware of what Viktor Frankl called the “third element”, which is our freedom and responsibility to decide (Viktor Frankl, 2018). 

We must decide to be generous, even when it comes at a personal cost, because the virtue of generosity aligns with our personal values and ideals and because being generous is simply the right thing to do.  

Carlos Gerardo Quijada, PhD, LPC. 

© 2020 Carlos Gerardo Quijada.  All Rights Reserved.

References 

Allen, S. (2018). The Science of Generosity [White Paper]. Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Generosity-FINAL.pdf 

Viktor Frankl. (2018). The pursuit of happiness: Bringing the science of happiness to life.  https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/viktor-frankl/

Zaki, J. & Mitchell, J. P. (2011).  Equitable decision making is associated with neural markers of intrinsic value. https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/49/19761.full.pdf