The Paradox of Generosity: Giving We Receive, Grasping We Lose by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson

In this fascinating book based on the research findings of the Science of Generosity Initiative at the University of Notre Dame, authors Smith and Davidson make a case for the paradoxical nature of generosity—“In offering our time, money, and energy in service of others’ well-being, we enhance our own well-being as well.”

They assert that, though religious and philosophical teachers have promoted this truth throughout history, their study establishes it as “a sociological fact.” Written for both a general audience and academics, this detailed book, replete with graphs and interesting case histories, supports the truth of Proverbs 11:25: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Oxford University Press)