Read 2 Corinthians 9:8-14 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Do you know who the happiest person in the world is? I do. I don’t know their name or where they live, but I know the happiest person on earth is a righteous person. Righteousness is not cod liver oil you have to swallow. Righteousness is shedding all of the things that make you miserable and embracing fully the path that God has laid out that leads to peace, joy, and fulfillment.

We see in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 that God pours out different kinds of blessing in our lives: finances, righteousness, ministry, relationships, and worship. To conclude this section, Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Simply said, “Only Christ could do this in a person’s life.” Only He could take selfish, self-oriented, hoard-for-me-and-nobody-else kind of people (and that’s what we were) and cause us to love others and to love to give to others. He says, in effect, “Praise God. Generosity produces abundant worship!”

The most wonderful thing that life has to offer is the opportunity for us to be used by God. Have you had a chance recently to talk about God and what He’s done for you? When you do, people recognize that your faith is not just a talk thing, it’s a walk thing. They see that something real is going on in your life. If God is blessing you this way, then you’re going to be in read demand. If you’re ready to teach or encourage or minister in whatever way God’s Spirit has gifted you, you may become popular. One of the abundant blessing of a generous life is you have a lot of really great relationships. If you’re feeling alone, move as quickly as you can to a generous and giving, others-oriented kind of life and you will have all the people you can handle and others waiting in line.

If you are a loving, humble, giving person, filled with peace and joy, then you are one of the happiest people in the world indeed.
- James MacDonald -

Responding - Am I happy? Perhaps my answer lies in my pursuing God’s righteousness in my life. In what areas do I want to grow in the coming months?
Following - Righteousness leads to joy.

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