God is extravagantly generous and our generosity is a response and reflection of Him. He is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. The thread of God’s generosity weaves through His creation, covenants, Israel’s economics, the gospel, and the kingdom as He consistently models that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Psalms 65:9-13; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Deuteronomy 7:9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:3, 7-8; James 1:5; Acts 20:35; Mark 12:41-43.

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God has blessed us in every way so that we can be generous in every way to advance the gospel. Joyfully giving our time, affection, talents, and money attracts God’s attention, draws heaven’s blessings, produces transformation and enables Him to trust us with the true riches of the kingdom.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Acts 10:3-6; Malachi 3:10-12; Deuteronomy 8:18; Acts 2:43-47; Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 16:10-13; Acts 4:32-37.

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Generosity confronts our poverty mentality, changing the way we interact with the world. No longer anxious because we mistakenly believe provision is scarce, we are confident that God multiplies resources and is eager to rescue and prosper people.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Philippians 4:19; Ephesians 3:20-21; 1 King 17:10-16; 2 Kings 4:1-7; 3 John 2; Matthew 6:25 -34; Jeremiah 29:11; Deuteronomy 28:11-13; Exodus 3:8; Matthew 14:13-21.

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Generosity releases joy, blessing, and favor into our lives. As we give, it will be given to us pressed down shaken together and running over!

Luke 6:38; Isaiah 58:6-12; Proverbs 11:25; Acts 2:43-47; Philippians 4:17-19; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Luke 18:29-30; Luke 19:1-10.

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What Does This Mean?

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Generosity is an expression of our trust in God’s provision, a declaration that our treasure is truly in heaven. As I take care of His priorities, He will look after mine.

1 Timothy 6:17-19; Philippians 4:18-19; Acts 4:33-37; Matthew 6:19-33; 2 Corinthians 9:8-12; Genesis 13:5-18.

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Generosity is a mindset. The poorest person on earth can live generously. Even if we don’t have many resources, we always have something to give.

Luke 21:1-4; Mark 6:30-44; 2 Corinthians 8:13-15; Matthew 10:42; Acts 3:1-9.1.

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We do not only give out of our abundance or convenience. Sacrifice is vital to a lifestyle of generosity. The Lord notices when our giving is costly to us.

Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; Luke 6:30-36; Luke 10:30-37; 2 Samuel 24:24-25; Romans 8:32; Mark 9:41.

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Generosity should permeate our marriages, families, businesses, communities, and benefit generations yet to come.

Ephesians 5:25; James 1:19; Proverbs 31:16-19; Mark 7:9-13; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 1 Timothy 5:4; John 3:16-18; Leviticus 19:9-10; Proverbs 13:22.

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God promised Israel a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Though we do not give just to receive, God is a rewarder and wants to bless us materially as well as spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Exodus 3:8; Luke 6:38; Hebrews 11:6; 3 John 2; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8; Psalms 103:1-5; Proverbs 11:24-25.

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As seen throughout history, generosity is essential for the healing and development of the nations. God is attracted to generosity in believers and unbelievers alike.

Isaiah 58:6-12; 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; Acts 10:1-4; Exodus 35:22-36:5; Nehemiah 2:1-8, 5:14-19; Ezra 1:1-11; Matthew 5:44; Proverbs 25:21.

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Generosity creates unity.

Acts 4:32-37; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 1 John 3:16-18; Philippians 4:10-19; 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.

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Generosity causes people to be thankful and is an opportunity for others to encounter the Lord’s goodness.

2 Corinthians 9:10-13; Romans 2:4; 2 Kings 6:22-23; Luke 9:12-17; Philippians 4:15-16; Matthew 5:16.

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The Lord celebrates generosity to the poor and fellow Christians as a gift to Himself. A generous heart cares for the widow and orphan, the marginalized and hurting.

Proverbs 14:31, 19:17; James 1:27; Psalms 68:5-6; Luke 19:1-10; Galatians 2:10; Mark 9:41; Matthew 25:34-40; Deuteronomy 15:12-14.

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Do Not Misunderstand...

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Being poor, middle-class or rich is neither a virtue nor a sin. Christians should cooperate with the Holy Spirit according to their situation, assignment, season of life, and/or calling. Some might be in poverty, needing the Kingdom’s generous breakthrough just to survive; some may live simply, needing and creating little wealth, yet still thriving; while others may create and steward wealth to live and give generously and foster society, establishing the poor, creating work and abundance, producing a legacy that benefits themselves, society, and the Kingdom.

2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 4:11-13; Luke 9:58; Acts 4:36; Matthew 27:57-60; Acts 20:32-36; 1 Corinthians 4:8-17; Acts 16:14-15; Job 29; Genesis 24:35, 26:12-14; 2 Chronicles 32:26-28; Proverbs 3:9-10; Proverbs 10:22, 22:3-4; 2 Timothy 6:17-19.

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Money is not evil but the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. So we do not love it but rather use it to build His Kingdom. It is a tool, and in human hands can be a blessing or a curse. It should never be our master, but it is powerful servant.

1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 6:19-24; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:10-12; Luke 16:8-15.

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The motivation for giving is more important than what we give. We don’t give out of a sense of guilt or manipulation, nor to impress or control God or His people.

1 Samuel 15:19-23; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 13:3; Matthew 6:1-4; 1 John 3:17-18; Acts 5:1-5, 8:18-24.

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As always, we carefully follow the Holy Spirit’s voice while learning generosity. We do not give impulsively, but rather ask the Father what He thinks about each situation.

John 5:19, 16:13; Matthew 19:16-22; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Acts 5:1-5; 1 Samuel 15:19-23.

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Our generosity should not be at the expense of others. Being generous while consistently not repaying debt or paying bills is not true generosity, but rather presumption, as we are giving away the money promised to another.

Mark 7:9-13, 12:17; I Timothy 5:4; Romans 13:7.

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Generosity is often expressed in secret, though it doesn’t have to be in order to bring glory to God.

Matthew 6:2-4; 2 Corinthians 8:24, 9:10-15; Acts 4:32-37; 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; Exodus 35:22.

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Generosity is a form of honor that we can extend to both the poor and the wealthy.

John 12:1-8; 1 Kings 10:10; Genesis 14:17-20, Luke 23:50-56.