What is Biblical Generosity?

Biblical generosity is grounded in God’s extravagant love: eternally, in the love that exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, God created humankind in his image out of his own generosity. Therefore, as image-bearers, we are able to be generous ourselves. Specifically for the believer, as we come to understand God’s love for us, we are able to display Christian generosity. When questioned about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). Our capacity to follow these commands comes from first recognizing that God’s nature is loving and knowing that we are deeply loved by God. When we come to experience God’s love for us, the proper response is to love him in return. Furthermore, our love for God should entail observable growth in our obedience to his commands, specifically to love others. Just as we see a positive correlation between receiving and giving love, the practice of biblical generosity is progressive, sacrificial, and obedient.

Learning to be more generous is progressive because it expands to encompass more areas of our lives.  The practice of generosity extends beyond financial giving. Are we generous with our time? Are we willing to extend grace toward others? Are we mindful of others as we make agendas or plan for the future? As we practice generosity, our capacity to give increases. It changes us, making us more aware of the needs around us—a crucial step in God’s design to bless others through us. One definition of love is meeting needs; therefore, inherent in biblical generosity is paying attention to what God is doing around us and being willing to join him in his work. We give of our time, talent, and treasure not because God has any need but rather because he allows us to participate in his purpose for giving. His plan includes giving the first and best of our resources in a regular, systematic way. Doing so reinforces the idea that God owns it all and we are stewards.

Biblical generosity is also marked by sacrifice. In Luke 21, Jesus praised the widow’s offering as being proportionally “more than all the others.” David insisted on paying for the threshing floor in 2 Samuel 24, declaring, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” These examples demonstrate intentionality in the heart of the giver. Furthermore, God’s people are instructed throughout Scripture to give to the poor. In his classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis identified giving to the poor as “an essential part of Christian morality.” On settling how much to give, Lewis advised, “I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charities expenditure excludes them.” Even so, genuine Christian generosity is voluntary and joyful. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The verses that follow describe God’s abundance: grace, good works, gifts, supply, increase, and overflow. In context, this command is about sowing generously so that what we reap can be given back to God. The harvest is eternal as we store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

Finally, the generosity Jesus modeled for us is clearly seen in his obedience to the Father. Jesus exemplifies the biblical definition of generosity through his unwavering obedience and sacrificial love, and he promises an Advocate to help us love him and keep his commands (John 14:15-16).  We have been given the Holy Spirit, who reveals truth to us and reminds us of the words of Jesus. He also fills us, sanctifies us, and empowers us to live like Christ. Therefore, the pursuit of biblical generosity is not a self-reliant endeavor. We are utterly dependent upon the Lord. Those who have been united with Christ are encouraged by his example of humble obedience. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4-5).

In closing, biblical generosity is both a privilege and a responsibility of the believer. It is a privilege because God’s design for giving changes us and connects us with others. We are invited to invest in what matters. As the great provider, he graciously frees our hearts to trust him. It is a responsibility because God’s redeeming love deserves a proper response. By faith, we give sacrificially. Empowered by His Spirit, we give obediently. Such generosity of spirit is a fitting expression of our love for God.

Acknowledgment: This article draws inspiration from Chapter Four of The Genius of Generosity by Chip Ingram, “How God Measures Generosity.”