Alfred Nobel had one of the strangest experiences imaginable. He read his own obituary.

In 1888, he opened the newspaper and saw this headline: "The Merchant of Death Is Dead." The only problem? He was very much alive. It was his brother, Ludvig, who had passed away. The paper had gotten it wrong, but in doing so, gave Alfred a glimpse into how the world would remember him.

Not as a scientist. Not as an innovator. But as a man who got rich from creating explosives.

That moment shook him. He didn’t like the story his life was telling, so he set out to change it. When he actually died years later, he left the bulk of his fortune to fund what we now know as the Nobel Prizes. He used his wealth to honor peace, science, and literature.

He rewrote his legacy. And his story asks an honest question of ours:

Are we investing in what really matters?

More Blessed to Give

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). That word blessed means deeply happy, fortunate, and fulfilled. And modern research backs Him up. Generous people live longer, laugh more, sleep better, and experience less depression and anxiety. Generosity actually rewires joy into our lives.

And while Jesus talked a lot about generosity, He never shamed people for having treasure. He just told us where to put it.

You Can’t Move Your Money Without Moving Your Heart

In Matthew 6, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That’s not just a commentary. It’s a promise.

We grow attached to wherever our money goes. Spend it all on temporary things, and your heart stays anxious, afraid, or unsatisfied. Start investing in what matters to God, and your heart will slowly follow. Want to care more about eternal things? Move your money there. You’ll be surprised at how your heart changes.

One pastor put it like this:

“My heart always goes where I put God’s money.”

Generosity Is a Climb, Not a Leap

Most people think of generosity as something spontaneous. But the truth is, it's a process. It grows like anything else—with practice.

Think of it like a ladder:

• First-Time Giver – You gave. That’s a great first step.
• Occasional Giver – You give when moved, but not regularly.
• Consistent Giver – Giving has become a spiritual rhythm.
• Tither – You return the first 10 percent back to God.
• Generous Giver – You give beyond the tithe, not out of guilt but gratitude.

Wherever you are, the goal isn't to feel pressure. The goal is to take the next faithful step. Not because God needs your money, but because your heart needs to be free.

Open Hands, Full Life

When you really believe God is a generous Father, it changes the way you see everything. Fear turns into trust. Scarcity turns into peace. Giving stops feeling like loss and starts to feel like worship.

So here's the invitation: Take the next step. Just one. Generosity doesn’t begin with a number. It begins with open hands.

And that’s where joy begins too.