What does the Bible say about generosity?
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT
You can study generosity in the Bible through scriptures, Biblical characters, and stories.
Being grateful and appreciative makes it easier to give more freely and exhibit generosity. I experienced Biblical generosity during a special encounter with a little boy in a remote village in Honduras. When I wonder, what is generosity? I am reminded of a small boy on a Honduran mountainside.
What is Generosity?
Walking on the lush, tropical mountainside of El Chile, Honduras, my cousin Maritza and I were surrounded by the flowering coffee trees, a dirty pigpen, and chickens wandering freely. We stopped as she pointed to a small, clay house where my mother and her eleven siblings were raised. It was a primitive structure with dirt floors and an open fire burning.
As I turned around to take in the humbling panorama, a small boy approached seemingly out of nowhere. The brown-eyed boy, Chungo, was dressed in a faded t-shirt and tattered blue jeans. He followed us from a distance before he made his move and timidly said, “Hola”. This small gesture was extremely courageous.
In one of his hands was a small, tan chicken egg. He extended his hand and sweetly gazed at me, offering his generous gift. He didn’t seem to wonder what generosity was because it appeared giving was a natural response for him. Knowing the egg could not travel with us, I wrestled with thoughts of what to say and what the egg cost him.
Sometimes when I struggle to understand what the Bible says about generosity, I remember Chungo’s sacrificial gift and am reminded of the gift Christ offers us.
As I tried to decide how to handle the situation, it became clear that accepting his gift would delight Chungo greatly. He asked to be remembered as he turned over the chicken egg. For Chungo, the egg was not just an egg; it was a sacrifice. Meeting Chungo and his willingness to surrender a valuable gift as an offering of friendship has stayed with me.
Because of Chungo, learning how to be more generous became a goal. It is humbling that someone so young, who owned so little, could quietly answer, ‘What is generosity?’
He demonstrated the Biblical principle that you experience more joy by giving than receiving.
Growing in Generosity
How does growing in generosity become a reality that we practice by giving freely, regardless of the circumstances? When you are growing in generosity, you walk with a spirit of surrender, gratitude, and appreciation.
Gratitude is an attitude and a decision that demonstrates appreciation. I hope to exhibit this trait in my life and teach it to my children.
Knowing you are loved and complete in Christ gives you the ability to be more appreciative and thankful. This “attitude of gratitude” serves as a root system, providing you with the capacity to grow in generosity. The action of giving with God-inspired motives, taught through scriptures about generosity, enables you to understand that it is more blessed to give than receive. Generosity brings peace, contentment, and true happiness.
Generosity is contagious; when you are growing in generosity, it encourages others to give.
What Does the Bible Say About Generosity?
The Bible says that when one’s identity in Christ is secure, one loves and gives to others from the overflow of God’s love for one.
Jesus demonstrated a spirit of generosity by pouring His life out to secure our salvation. The three years of His ministry on earth were full of examples of generosity in the Bible.
To understand what the Bible says about generosity, begin by studying Bible verses about generosity and the faithful life of Christ in the four gospels, starting with the book of Matthew.
Bible Verses about Generosity
There are many Bible verses about generosity that you can turn to when wondering, ‘What does the Bible say about generosity?’
The Bible reveals that Jesus is the ultimate example of being generous. We learn that through giving, our hearts grow closer to God, and we discover a new type of joy.
5 Bible Verses about Generosity
1 John 3:16 NLT
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Matthew 20:28 NLT
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 10:11 NLT
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
Acts 4:34 NLT
“There were no needy people among them because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.”
Acts 20:34-35 NLT
“You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’“
Bible Story about Generosity
My Honduran friend reminded me of the Bible story Jesus told about generosity, featuring the poor widow in the book of Mark:
“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Mark 12:41-44 NLT
When you want to know what generosity is, think of Chungo and the woman at the temple. Giving from a surplus is good, but even better as a sacrifice.
Growing in generosity requires giving freely even when you don’t feel like letting go of something.
Growing in generosity requires that you sometimes give from a place of deficit. It causes you to place your trust in God and not your own ability. It shows what you are devoted to and the condition of your heart. Generosity causes you to be encouraged and grow in your faith.
How to Grow in Generosity
Learning how to grow in generosity is connected to the resources we manage. Our 3 main resources are time, money, and love. Managing these resources directly impacts the ability to do what the Bible says about generosity.
How to Grow in Generosity with Your Time
What does the Bible say about generosity with your time?
Do we sacrifice our TIME to invest and serve others? The Bible says that your life is like a mist or fog. It goes by quickly, and once you spend it, it is gone.
Being intentional with our time can be challenging if we are not careful. It is easy to get swept up in “busyness” instead of reflecting on what God is directing you to do.
It’s always a good time to demonstrate generosity to others; there are opportunities if we are looking. Giving our time to help others solidifies relationships and helps us stay on purpose.
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14-15 NLT
How to Grow in Generosity with Your Money
What does the Bible say about generosity with your money?
Do we freely give MONEY away and sacrifice what we want to buy in order to financially bless others?
This one is difficult because being controlled by money and everything it offers is intoxicating. The Bible says the love of money can be destructive to one’s soul. Chungo exhibited a belief that God owns everything and ultimately meets one’s needs.
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 NLT
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NLT
How to Grow in Generosity with Your Love
What does the Bible say about generosity with your love?
Do you sacrifice your need to be loved to demonstrate LOVE to others?
It is empowering knowing you are loved by your Heavenly Father, allowing you to love others generously. When operating from a place of God’s security, it is easier to pour out love on others. We are God’s beloved, and nothing can separate us from Him.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38 NLT
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 NLT
How to Grow in Generosity: A Life Challenge
My chance encounter with Chungo created a life challenge on how to grow in generosity and be more willing to show appreciation to others.
It taught me that we can choose to be generous, especially when we understand and grasp what the Bible says about generosity.
When you are too busy, being generous with your time is harder. When you are financially strapped, it is harder to be generous with your money. When you are struggling in a relationship, being generous with your love is harder.
Reliance on God helps us pull from His limitless reservoir so we can be like Chungo; we can grow in generosity to experience the blessing of giving instead of focusing on the need for receiving.
I can’t help but imagine what a different world it would be if everyone grew in generosity.
When you understand, ‘what does the Bible say about generosity’ and use this wisdom to love others, you demonstrate the meaning of a generous heart.
A postscript to my serendipitous encounter with Chungo is that I recently discovered his real name is Jesus, how perfect!
What have you learned about generosity?
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Butterfly Living
Featured Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
