Living Well: Success, Giving & Joy

Draft, under review

For everyone · Tell us where you are

  1. How do I stay humble when life is going well?

    • Deut 8:17–18

      17You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” 18But remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

    • 1 Cor 4:7

      7For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

    • 1 Tim 6:17–19

      17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. 18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, 19treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

    • Jas 4:13–16

      13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” 14You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” Keep reading

    • Luke 12:15–21

      15And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. 17So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Keep reading

    Walk the pathway: Handling success

  2. How much should I give?

    Believers differ here, and each view is held by faithful Christians. Some hold that the tithe (a tenth) remains a binding standard for believers (Mal 3:8-10; Matt 23:23). Others see the tithe as a helpful starting guide rather than a rule, noting that giving a tenth was practiced before the law (Gen 14:20; Gen 28:22) and that grace often moves believers beyond it (2 Cor 8:7). Others hold that the New Testament sets no fixed percentage and calls for grace-giving that is regular, proportionate to what one has, and cheerful (1 Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 8:3, 12-15; 2 Cor 9:7). All agree that giving is a response to Christ's grace (2 Cor 8:9; 2 Cor 9:15), that it should be done freely and not under pressure or guilt (2 Cor 9:7), that it never earns God's favor or buys a financial return (1 Tim 6:5-10), and that it does not mean neglecting one's own household (1 Tim 5:8). Mal 3:10 was God's covenant word to Israel about bringing the tithe to the temple storehouse; it shows God's faithfulness to provide, not a formula for getting rich.

    • 2 Cor 9:7

      7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

    • 2 Cor 8:12–15

      12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. 14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality. Keep reading

    • Luke 21:1–4

      1Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3“Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Keep reading

    • Mal 3:10

      10Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.

    Walk the pathway: Being generous

  3. Are joy and happiness the same thing?

    Scripture does not set joy and happiness against each other. It calls people "blessed" or "happy" (Ps 1:1; Ps 144:15; Matt 5:3-12) and welcomes gladness in God's good gifts (Eccl 9:7; Acts 14:17). Its emphasis is that the deepest joy is "in the Lord" (Phil 4:4), so it rests on who God is and what Christ has done rather than on circumstances. That is why joy can remain when circumstances change and can sit alongside real sorrow (2 Cor 6:10; John 16:20-22; Neh 8:9-10). Joy never requires pretending grief isn't there (Rom 12:15).

    • Phil 4:4

      4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

    • John 16:22

      22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

    • 2 Cor 6:10

      10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

    • Neh 8:10

      10Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

    Walk the pathway: Joy

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