Giving vs. generosity vs. stewardship
by Becky D. Livingston
Raised in the Baptist church, I understood tithing as a clear and expected discipline of the Christian life. I responded faithfully – 10 percent, no questions asked – but it was more out of obligation than heartfelt devotion. I gave out of duty, not delight. Though Scripture says God loves a cheerful giver, joy was noticeably absent in my giving.
Everything began to shift after the loss of my husband, Ivan, when I was just 47. Amid deep grief, I attended The Walk to Emmaus – a retreat designed to deepen one’s relationship with the Lord. That sacred space became a turning point. It sparked the beginning of a heart transformation, moving my faith from legalistic routine to a deeply personal, relational journey with God.
Around this time, I had just signed a new contract to continue serving as CEO at Bethany Assisted Living, a faith-based senior living community, when my friend Matthew Hendley extended the invitation to attend a Journey of Generosity, and I agreed. I had no idea how profoundly it would impact me. The experience was truly life-changing, opening my eyes to the depth and beauty of the Bible’s teachings on giving, stewardship, and generosity.
Until this point, I’d considered these to be nearly interchangeable and hadn’t given much thought towards how they each serve as a reflection of our heart and an opportunity to respond to God’s faithfulness:
Giving is a verb – an active expression of faith. It means offering something back to God, returning a portion of what He has already given to us. It’s not just a concept, but an intentional act that acknowledges everything (and not just resources) we have belongs to Him. For years, that’s where I lived – faithfully tithing, doing what I believed was right, actively participating in this ongoing response to God’s generosity.
Generosity is a noun – a mindset marked by a willingness to share, even when it requires personal sacrifice. It’s the posture of extending your resources, time, and talents in response to God’s leading. More than a single act, generosity is a lifestyle – an open-handed way of living that reflects trust in God and care for others. One of my favorite expressions of generosity is using our influence to help others. After all, it’s God who grants us that influence – not for our own gain, but to serve and uplift those around us. True generosity isn’t limited to money or possessions; it’s also about leveraging the platforms, relationships, and opportunities God has gifted to us for His purposes.
Stewardship is a verb – an active, ongoing commitment to wisely manage the gifts God has entrusted to us, with the goal of honoring Him. It requires honest reflection and a deep examination of our heart’s intentions. In my experience, it’s the most challenging of the three, because it calls for constant alignment with God’s purposes. Stewardship recognizes that we are not owners, but temporary managers of His resources. It often means setting boundaries – like defining a financial finish line, determining what’s “enough” to live on, and intentionally releasing the rest for Kingdom impact.
Three years after that JOG, I accepted Matthew’s invitation to consider joining the NCF Georgia team as a Generosity Ambassador and Relationship Manager. Since 2023, it’s been my deep honor to work with advisors, charities, individuals, and families, with a special emphasis on service to widows and women. It’s been a natural continuation of the mission God had been shaping in me all along: helping others discover the joy of generosity.
If you’re looking for ways to align your own heart with God’s perspective on giving, I’d encourage you to take the next step using some of the resources I’ve personally found helpful through my own journey:
- Attend a Journey of Generosity retreat. We’ve already scheduled many dates in 2026 throughout the state of Georgia. Visit our website to sign up.
- Read The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. This is a short read but timeless classic outlining what Jesus taught about treasure and trust.
- Pray through our 10 days of biblical generosity devotional. Each day, our guide offers scripture and prayers on a biblical truth about how God uses our giving to transform us and shape us into who He is calling us to be.
- Connect with our NCF Georgia team. We’re called “Relationship Managers” because our goal is to know you as a person – not a number. Our desire is to walk alongside you as you grow in your journey of giving, helping you see generosity and stewardship not as mere transactions, but as powerful, transformational expressions of faith and purpose.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). It’s only through a transformation of the heart that we can truly embrace the actions of giving and stewardship and adopt the mindset of generosity.
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, my prayer is that each of us would be led into deeper heart change – so we can fully experience the life of purpose, joy, and generosity that God longs for us to know.