What Does It Really Mean To Be Generous?

In our last article, we shared the difference between stewardship and generosity; you can read about it here. In this article, we're diving deeper into generosity and what it really means to be generous.

Generosity is a willingness to give, share, or contribute freely without expecting anything in return. It involves acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness directed towards others. 

Generosity goes beyond material possessions and can include giving one's time, attention, support, or even emotional understanding. Being generous is not solely about the quantity or value of what is given but rather about the spirit and intention behind the giving.

The genius of generosity is in the way God created it to work. Acts 20:35 sums it up in this simple but powerful phrase, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." God designed generosity to bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose to both the giver and the recipient. However, to encourage generosity, God made giving more rewarding than receiving because generosities' ultimate goal is to foster a more compassionate and interconnected community; a family.

The best model of generosity is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who embodied the essence of generosity during His earthly ministry. His life and teachings provide an extraordinary model of selflessness, compassion, and sacrificial giving. Through His actions and words, Jesus demonstrated the depth of God's love and the transformative power of true generosity.

How Jesus modeled generosity

1. Compassion for the Needy: Jesus displayed immense compassion for the marginalized and suffering throughout His ministry. He healed the sick (Matthew 4:23), fed the hungry (Matthew 14:13-21), and embraced the outcasts, showing that generosity extends to meeting both physical and spiritual needs.

2. Forgiveness and Grace: Jesus exemplified radical generosity by extending forgiveness and grace to those who didn't deserve it, including sinners and even His own executioners (Luke 23:34). His act of forgiving demonstrated that true generosity goes beyond mere acts of giving and includes a posture of compassion and reconciliation.

3. Sharing Spiritual Truths: Jesus freely shared His wisdom, teachings, and spiritual insights with His disciples and the crowds. He revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, imparting knowledge that would lead to transformation and eternal life (Matthew 13:11). His generosity in sharing divine truths continues to bless and guide believers today.

4. Teaching on Giving: Jesus taught about the importance of generosity and selfless giving. He commended the widow who gave her meager offering, emphasizing that true generosity is measured by the heart's willingness to sacrifice (Mark 12:41-44). He also encouraged His disciples to give to those in need without seeking recognition or reward (Matthew 6:1-4).

5. The Gift of Salvation: Jesus' ultimate act of generosity was offering Himself as a sacrifice for humanity's sins (John 3:16). By willingly laying down His life on the cross, Jesus provided the greatest gift of all—salvation and eternal life—for anyone who believes in Him.

Jesus Christ is the epitome of generosity, inspiring us to follow His example. His sacrificial love, compassionate deeds, and selfless teachings invite us to embrace a lifestyle of generosity, where we give freely, love extravagantly, and extend grace to others. 

What should generosity look like for us?

Since Jesus is the perfect model, we can only go right by doing what he did. By imitating Jesus' model of generosity, we can reflect His character and bring His transformative love to a world in need. No, we aren't Jesus, and we're not always going to get it right, but by aspiring to live generously by His example, we can make a difference in those around us and the world.

Provide for Those in Need: You don't need to look hard to find people who are physically poor, less fortunate, or marginalized. Consider what resources you have that could lift and help them. It may be as simple as providing someone a meal, helping them acquire a skill, offering them an employment opportunity, or giving them a financial gift.

Extend Grace and Forgiveness: Nothing is more generous than extending grace and forgiveness, especially when someone doesn't deserve it. In a world fighting for rights and privileges, grace and forgiveness are rare but sorely needed. These are effective weapons (Proverbs 15:1) in defeating the enemy's plan to steal, kill, and destroy humanity.

Share Spiritual Truth: In John 6:26-27, after feeding the five thousand, Jesus, being sought by the crowd, instructs them not to labor for the food that perishes (physical food) but for the food that endures (spiritual food) to everlasting life. It is not enough to care for a person's physical needs; we must share the spiritual truths that will lead them to a godly life. Discipleship is an act of generosity; it's freely giving what's been freely given to us.

Teach Others to Give: Though generosity is how we are wired, many things in this world undermine this natural tendency. Increased material wealth and consumerism often lead to selfishness, greed, and fear of losing what we've acquired. This is detrimental to people's spiritual health and can equally affect the rich or the poor. Teaching Biblical generosity and stewardship will free people from the power of materialism and consumerism and equip them to pursue God's will and purpose for their lives.

Give Yourself: While King David makes an offering to build the Temple in Jerusalem, he states an obvious but profound truth, "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own." (1 Chronicles 29:16) Everything David and the leaders of Israel were giving came from God's hand.

Like them, we cannot give God any material we possess because He already owns it. Psalm 24:1 says, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Therefore, our lives are the only generous gifts we can give God. It's what Jesus did, and it's the one decision that will determine what it means for you to be generous for the rest of your life.

For Further Reading

Do Stewardship and Generosity Mean the Same Thing

The Problem with Your General Fund and How to Fix it

Is it Okay for Christians to Be Wealthy?

Will you Inherit the Kingdom of Heaven?

The 2 Most Important Components of Managing Money Well

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