Generosity

Topical Study

An exhibit of self-giving love, generosity is the glad readiness to give liberally to others and the practice of doing so.

In Scripture

God's generosity "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?" (Matt. 20:15). "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16). "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9).

Generosity in God's people "Take from among you an offering to the Lord; let whoever is of a generous heart bring the Lord's offering: gold, silver, and bronze" (Ex. 35:5). "Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want" (Prov. 11:24). "When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:3 - 4). "He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, `Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on'" (Luke 21:1 - 4). "The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. . . .You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us" (2 Cor. 9:6 - 7, 11) "As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share" (1 Tim. 6:17 - 18)

The Bible's particular interest in generosity to the poor "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 19:9 - 10). "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full" (Prov. 19:17) "In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

Points to Ponder

Forms of generosity We usually think of generosity as openhandedness with material goods (principally money), but one may be generous as well with "possessions, time, attention, aid, encouragement, emotional availability, and more." Except for possessions, each of these things is nonmaterial. Indeed, some of the greatest forms of generosity in the universe are nonmaterial, such as God's grace for sinners manifested in the self-giving death of Jesus Christ. As the parable of the unmerciful servant shows, God's prime generosity to us in forgiveness is meant to spur our generosity to others.

Generosity toward other's motives and acts The generous person may offer money or possessions — or time, attention, or encouragement — but he may also be magnanimous in assessing other people's motives and acts by giving others the benefit of the doubt, or by putting the best face on their motives and acts. A person does something right and you say, "That's who she is." A person does something wrong and you say, "That's an aberration."

The Bible's particular interest in generosity to the poor Texts here from Leviticus and Proverbs show the Bible's particular interest in generosity to the poor, to those who cannot be generous in kind and in return. But Luke 21 shows us a noble widow who is a sort of counterexample. She does not give a lot of money, but she does give self-sacrificially, displaying the heart of generosity. To give out of abundance is wonderful; to give out of want is heroic. Sonia Nazario's Enrique's Journey is memorable in part because it gives us vignettes of impoverished villagers who spot Central American kids riding the tops of boxcars toward the U.S. and then give them food they really cannot spare. They might have one tamale a day and give the kids half of it.

Private and public generosity In Matthew 6 Jesus recommends giving "in secret," no doubt to counteract the kind of giving that is motivated by hunger for publicity. But not all public giving is so motivated. Some is intended as a challenge and incentive to other givers: "I gave $$$. How about you?" Givers, too, may stir each other to good works.

Generosity benefits the giver Proverbs 11 and 2 Corinthians 9 represent a strand of biblical teaching that recognizes that generosity also benefits the giver. Givers tend to thrive. They don't finally lose by giving. Indeed, scientific evidence supports the thesis that, in generosity, those who do good also do well. Does this corrupt their motives? Not necessarily. Healthy givers act out of gratitude for God's generosity to them and out of love of neighbor. They do not give just to insure their own thriving, but it is not wrong for them to notice that those who act generously do in fact tend to thrive.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Search Results

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How Congregations Differ on Generosity "Not every congregation’s culture supports the same approach to developing faithful stewards, or generous givers. What variables in congregational life foster giving differences in members and congregations?" An in-depth article by Ruben Swint. Resource type: Article Source: The Christian Reflection Project Author: Ruben Swint Generosity This sermon starter and commentary on Luke 12:13-21 reflects on greed, urging a generosity that forces us to open our hearts rather than to close them. Resource type: Sermon Starter/Outline Source: A Plain Account Generosity of Spirit "Generosity names not merely something we do, but an admirable quality of character, something we are." Resource type: Article Source: The Christian Reflection Project Author: Douglas V. Henry Generous Faith A worship planning guide including hymns, prayers, reflections, and more. The theme is being generous and compassionate like God, based on Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15, John 6:24-35, Ephesians 4:1-16, and Psalms 51 and 78. Resource type: Sermon Starter/Outline Source: Sacredise Author: John van de Laar Generosity of Spirit - Study Guide Study guide for a lesson about generosity. Generosity names not merely something we do, but an admirable quality of character, something we are. Liturgical elements and discussion questions included. Resource type: Study Guide Source: The Christian Reflection Project Author: Robert B. Kruschwitz Homilies on the Great Commandment, Generosity, End Times, the Kingship of Jesus Christ In this set of four Catholic homolies, Fr. Michael Berry focuses on the inextricable tie between worship of God and charity toward others, generosity, hope in Christ, and the glory of Christ the king. Resource type: Sermon (Complete) Source: Homiletic and Pastoral Review Author: Fr. Michael Berry, OCD Generosity Sightings The abundance of Christ's grace is something that goes beyond our ability to calculate. This devotional on the parable of workers in the vineyard challenges us to expand our view of generosity. Resource type: Devotional Source: Working Preacher Author: Karoline M. Lewis Full Text Hymns on Generosity I'll Praise My Maker While I've BreathPD
Praise, My Soul, the King of HeavenPD
Bless the Lord, O My Soul©
See more hymns... Generosity Is the Secret of Life Life-changing generosity is not an occasional act; it is an all-inclusive lifestyle that lubricates everything we say, think, and do. Resource type: Article Source: The High Calling Author: Dave Peterson Radical Generosity Video featuring Joyce Hollyday who discusses Jesus' call to radical generosity, the common good, and inter-dependence. We live in a society that is too focused on the individual. Resource type: Audio/Video Source: The Work of the People Author: Joyce Hollyday Generous Orthodoxy: A Theological Resource for a Way Forward Arguing in favor of what Hans Frei calls a "generous orthodoxy," this article by Kenneth H. Carter discusses the importance both of adhering to the ecumenical history of Christianity and of treating the views of others... Resource type: Article Source: Ministry Matters Author: Kenneth H Carter Generosity Is at the Heart of Christmas Jamie Jenkins reminds us of the importance of being generous especially during the Christmas season. You don't have to give a lot to help out; whatever you can give will help someone in need. Resource type: Article Source: Day1 Author: Jamie Jenkins Calling Us to Generous Acts A responsive call to worship inspired by Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and James 1:17-27. The leader and congregation repeat two major themes: the Beloved's voice and his call to do generous acts. Resource type: Element of Worship Source: Re-Worship Author: Christine Longhurst

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