The Essentials of Biblical Finance: Generosity

This is part 3 of a 4 part series.

The Essentials of Biblical Finance: Generosity

Generosity

1. Generosity must be first. When we give first, we show the Lord, ourselves and others that God is first on our budget and first in our hearts. Giving first is a concrete value statement.

2. Generosity must be from the heart. God loves a cheerful giver and we must learn to cultivate joy in generosity. We must give with pure motives and pure hearts. We are wasting our money and embittering our hearts when we give out of guilt or obligation.

3. Generosity must be proportional. As we possess greater income and assets, we are called to give in greater proportion. We deceive ourselves in giving a constant percentage (say 10%), and thinking we are giving more when our income rises. True, the dollar value has increased, but scripture calls us to increase the percentage of our giving as our resources increase.

4. Generosity is a lifestyle. The call to generosity is hardly limited to the offering plate. We are called to be generous people. We must choose to be generous with our money, time, energy, talents, gifts, and on, and on. Generosity, when understood Biblically, is a way of life.

5. Generosity is a life spring. The Bible teaches that it is better to give than to receive. We are told that when we are generous we “take hold of that which is life indeed”. When we give we live as Christ calls. When we withhold we follow the world’s idolization of consumption.

Part 1: Intro, Part 2: Stewardship, Part 3: Generosity, Part 4: Contentment