When you hear about stories of generosity, it's an easy reminder of how we all want to help and do good. But being generous is more than just doing some good deeds now and then. Generosity as a follower of Jesus isn’t reserved for random acts of kindness, but rather marks your lifestyle. Generous people give a lot, often, and with a good heart. They are generous with their time, their resources, and their energy. And they do so to make a difference in the lives of others. No matter how generous you are, we can all take steps toward becoming more like Christ, who was the epitome of generosity. Here are three passages of Scripture that teach three lessons of giving:

Obligation vs. Opportunity

Matthew 23:23-24 says, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law - justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Blind guides!”
Here, Jesus is making one thing clear: Giving is about what flows from the transformative work of God in you. It’s one thing to tithe and give because someone told you to, and it’s another thing to tithe and give because it’s a part of your joyful contribution to God’s work in the world. In other words, are you tithing out of obligation or are you giving as an opportunity to partner with God?

Uniformity vs. Unity

Acts 2:32 says, “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.”
When it comes to giving, unity in heart and mind matters deeply! Why? When people see what they have as a received gift from God instead of owning, possessing, or earning it, it’s so much easier to give it away for and with good! The beauty of this passage is it moves beyond a rhythm of financial tithe and into generous living: being united in the act of giving rather than being uniform in the amount of gift.

Indulgence vs. Investment

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
When was the last time you looked at your monthly spending? That can be a pretty revealing way to see where you are pointing and prioritizing your life. Rather than indulging in things that will pass away, Jesus’ invitation is to give for things that are eternal! Jesus said that where your treasure is, your heart is. The inverse is true, too. If you want your heart to move toward something, give part of your treasure toward that area. Imagine how many new doors and opportunities for sharing the Gospel would open if each follower of Jesus placed their attention and trust toward him!

Everyone is invited to live a life of generosity in partnership with God and his people. Of the three values, which can you take a next step in? Invite a friend, start somewhere, and commit to practicing a life of meaningful generosity!

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