In times past, the phrase “Happiness is...” was often used to promote certain products. As we think of what true happiness is in life, it often comes from personal growth upward and outward as we share love and good will to others. The Bible even affirms this with passages such as
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. - Luke 6:31
It is more blessed to give than to receive. - Acts 20:35
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Acts 6:38
The heart of these messages is that giving love, kindness, and good will to others is a sound investment of self to have those things also returned back to us. Jesus often used principles of agriculture in His teaching. Investment of self is like planting a seed. It grows exponentially to “feed” self and others.
We can see the evidence of this in the lives of people. Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Giving good to others is a planting from the Holy Spirit to produce those fruits.
At the same time, we can see the dried up living that happens when a person does nothing much but focus on self. The evidence of “not planting good” results in problems in all areas of life, such as depression and anxiety in the mental realm, many areas of physical sickness, and relationships with others that is framed by lack of trust and worry.
When seeds grow, remember that the planter has first use of the produce. When we sow love and good will, that is a guarantee of those being there for us.
