I always love it when science confirms what God's Word has said for millennia.

As Proverbs says, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." As we search for Truth, we find it, and it will always align with Scripture. Unfortunately, conversations about money and giving tend to trigger some Christians, leading to missed opportunities to receive the benefits of giving.

Let's explore the Truth and how science supports it.

Giving & the Brain

How can it be better to give than to receive, as we read in Acts? How can we be cheerful givers, as suggested in 2 Corinthians? Neuroscience can now help us understand these Truths.

God designed us as social and relational beings. We are wired to help others! In fact, neuroscience has proven that giving provides benefits for both the giver and the receiver. Giving leads to increased happiness and improved health, hence the Biblical phrase "a cheerful giver."

Though the brain is incredibly complex, scientists have identified the Happiness Trifecta: dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These neurochemicals are connected to eating and digestion, sleeping, learning and memory, motivation and arousal. Consider oxytocin, often referred to as the love hormone. This incredible neurochemical plays a role in social bonding, reproduction, childbirth, and attachment. Not only does it have a powerful effect on our brains and relationships, but it also has a powerful effect on our bodies—it's anti-inflammatory, reduces pain, and enhances healing.

What else has neuroscience proven? Giving releases oxytocin. That being said, we should want to give as often as possible, and the Church provides plenty of opportunities to do that!

Three Major Benefits of Giving

Whether we're giving cash or giving our time, generosity comes with major benefits.

Mirror neurons: Helping others creates a positive cycle in our brains. You can easily test this one in a simple way. Smile at someone, and they smile back. Both the giver and the receiver get a positive brain jolt since the receiver, in response, becomes the giver.

Empathy and compassion: When you walk in another's shoes, you're more able to feel what they feel. There are structures in our brain that help us see from another's perspective and meet their needs. When we help others, we strengthen these positive structures.

Neurochemicals: You get more oxytocin when you help others. That, in turn, gives you more dopamine and serotonin. You benefit from increased joy while counteracting cortisol, the nasty stress hormone. The more oxytocin, the more you want to help others. Now, that's a cheerful giver!

Learn Generosity with 3Nickels

God knows exactly how we're designed, which is why Scripture says what it says. Science now confirms the same.

We developed the 3Nickels financial app to not only include saving and spending but also giving. The name itself comes from my own upbringing, where my parents gave me three nickels for my allowance—one to give, one to save, and one to spend. Now, I'm no theologian, so I can't opine on the right amount or percentage to give. But I will say my parents wired my brain correctly. Although I haven't always stuck to the 33% I started out with—sometimes more and sometimes less—I've not been driven by greed. Yet I've never been without.

On the contrary, I've received the good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

Now, I love to give, but let's be real. None of us likes to be scammed—whether that means paying too much for something or giving to an organization that doesn't use the money wisely. The Holy Spirit is our ultimate Guide to ensure we give the right amount to the optimal place. But the 3Nickels app is also designed to help and provide wisdom. 

3Nickels has tools to help you find organizations that hold your values and use the money wisely. And we've partnered with Tithe.ly to make your giving and record-keeping easy. Download the 3Nickels app and start giving today. Your brain will love you for it! Sign up today!