Humor works best when it brings joy to others.

Some of the best quotes in the world are about humor (and they aren’t even that funny). Here’s a sampling:

“Humor is the shock absorber of life; it helps us take the blows” (Peggy Noonon).
“A good laugh is sunshine in a house” (William Makepeace Thackeray).
“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand” (Mark Twain).

The Bible doesn’t say a lot about humor, but there are plenty of principles regarding joy. Humor for humor’s sake is often pointless and sometimes demeaning. When humor brings joy to others, it serves a worthwhile purpose. You give people something rather than taking something away.

When you use humor to bring joy to others, you help relieve them of sorrow (Jer. 31:13) and you refresh them (Philemon 7). Most of all, you connect them with God (Psalm 16:11).

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.

Psalm 126:2