Financial Tips from Jesus (Happiness Guaranteed!)

5 snips

Sep 27, 2025

Can money truly buy happiness? This podcast dives into Jesus’ teachings that serving the poor directly impacts our eternal judgment. It explores the sobering tale of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that wealth should uplift those in need, not isolate us. Surprisingly, studies show that giving boosts our joy more than spending on ourselves. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize generosity, realigning their values to create a lasting impact both in this life and the next. God remembers every act of love for the poor—what investment will you choose?

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INSIGHT

Final Exam: Service Over Checklist

Matthew 25 frames the final judgment primarily around serving people in need rather than counting moral infractions.
A closed heart to the poor undermines one's capacity to receive heaven, says Chris Stefanick.

ANECDOTE

Rich Man And Lazarus Example

Chris recounts the story of the rich man and Lazarus to show spiritual consequence for ignoring the needy.
Lazarus ends up comforted while the rich man suffers because he ignored the poor at his doorstep.

ADVICE

Make Friends With The Poor Now

Do "make friends" with the poor by giving your money to them while you can.
Treat generosity as the best investment for your eternal future, Chris Stefanick advises.

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Can money actually buy happiness? Believe it or not—Jesus says yes.

In this reflection, Chris Stefanick unpacks Matthew 25 and Luke 16, where Jesus makes it clear: a big part of our final exam before God will be about whether or not we loved and served the poor.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a sobering reminder: if our hearts are closed to the suffering right in front of us, they’re not open enough to receive heaven.

But here’s the twist—modern research actually backs this up! Studies prove that spending money on others brings more joy than spending it on ourselves.

So your money CAN buy you happiness...if you give it away to help others.

What you'll discover:

Why serving the poor is essential preparation for eternal life
How generosity changes your happiness right now
The one thing God will never forget about you
Watch now and start investing in the only thing that lasts: love.

❓DISCUSSION QUESTIONS❓
1. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that the “final exam” is about how we serve the poor. How does that challenge or affirm the way you’ve been living your faith?

2. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16), the rich man isn’t condemned for being wealthy but for ignoring the suffering at his doorstep. Who are the “Lazaruses” God has placed at your doorstep?

3. God forgets every sin we repent of, but he never forgets a single act of love for the poor. How does that truth change the way you view generosity and service?

4. Research shows that giving money to others brings more joy than spending it on ourselves. Can you share a time when generosity—big or small—brought unexpected joy to your life?

5. What is one way you could “reorder your dreams” to align more closely with how Jesus calls us to use our resources?

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Living Joy by Chris Stefanick: https://real-life-catholic.myshopify.com/products/living-joy-hardcover

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