Generosity
The theme of generosity in the Bible: giving freely, sharing and offering cheerfully. Key chapters from the widow's offering to the sharing of the early church.
Generosity stands out throughout the Bible both as a command and as a joyful way of life. The chapters below treat giving freely, sharing what one has and offering cheerfully from different angles. Each link takes you straight to the reading page.
Read the chapters
- Malachi 3
A chapter calling the people to dedicate a portion of what they have to God in trust, holding out a promise of blessing that follows generosity and the invitation, put almost as a test, to 'test me.'
- Luke 21
A chapter highlighting a poor widow who gives her few small coins out of all she has, showing that the greatness of a gift is measured not by its amount but by the giver's wholehearted sacrifice.
- Acts 4
A chapter portraying the solidarity of the first Christian community — bold witness under pressure and a voluntary sharing that met each person's need.
- 2 Corinthians 9
A chapter on the spirit of giving, commending sharing that is wholehearted and cheerful rather than forced or reluctant, and describing how generosity returns as blessing.
- Proverbs 11
A string of proverbs contrasting honesty with deceit and generosity with stinginess, showing how an open hand toward others returns, in the long run, to the giver.