What does it take to become generous? Stories of 3 women in the Bible
by Courtney Markley
Many of us are interested in learning more about this thing called generosity. We apply the latest strategies; we study the most efficient tools; we learn all about the benefits of generosity. Those are all good, but as we strive to increase our giving, what is often overlooked are the characteristics necessary to become a generous person.
When we compare and contrast how Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler responded to Jesus, we see that it takes more than information to become generous. Both of these men were wealthy, both were highly intelligent, both had an understanding of the religious laws, both sought out Jesus. However, only Zacchaeus responded generously.
There is more to generosity than knowledge, skill, and money. Generosity begins with the heart. So, let’s lean into this question: What does it take to become a generous person? Here are stories from three women from Scripture who teach us how to become generous.
Characteristic #1: Generosity takes a sacrificial heart
The widow with the two coins breaks many preconceptions we have about generosity: It’s not the sum of the gift but the sacrifice it takes to give. In this story, we learn that Jesus was sitting in the temple, intentionally watching people place their money into the treasury. He witnessed people giving large sums and offers no recorded reaction.
In comes the widow. She was living in poverty, among the marginalized, and she only had two coins to her name. She put everything she had into the treasury. Now, purely from an economic standpoint, she probably gave less than anyone else that day. No one was writing her a thank you letter for her generous gift.
Her gift wasn’t noticed by man, but it was seen by God himself.
Jesus turns to his disciples and says, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44).
God’s economy works differently than ours. A large gift made out of convenience does not excite our Lord. The rich people put in large sums, but when compared to their overall wealth, the weight of their sacrifice was small. They were giving out of abundance. His scales measure the weight of our sacrifice, and the widow sacrificed all she had.
Characteristic #2: Generosity takes a sense of urgency
If the widow highlights our misconceptions about generosity, this next story will surely do the same. In Matthew 26 we read about a woman who anoints Jesus with oil.
Days before his crucifixion, Jesus is reclining at the table with friends and engaging in fellowship when a woman comes in and, in an act of love, pours a very expensive oil over him. Scripture tells us that this oil cost nearly a year’s wages. Watching this unfold, some people in the room begin to judge her, saying it was wasteful and a misuse of money: “This could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor” (Matthew 26:9).
Jesus rebukes their judgments. He says they will have a lifetime to help the poor, but they have limited time with him. This woman got it. She had a sense of urgency. She used one year’s wages to purchase one bottle of oil to anoint one man. She was not interested in getting the highest ROI on her kingdom investment; she simply wanted to show love to Jesus while she could.
A friend of mine recently reminded me that we may get to live eternity with Jesus, but we have a short period of time to live for him. Once we are in heaven, we cannot sacrifice for Jesus. We cannot preach the Gospel. We cannot save the lost. Generosity takes urgency.
Characteristic #3: Generosity takes a deep love and devotion for Jesus
In Luke 8, we learn about the women who financially supported Jesus’ ministry. One of these women was Mary Magdalene. Mary was healed by Jesus and became a loyal follower. She is mentioned more times in the Bible than many of the disciples.
She was with Jesus at the cross. She was the first person to witness the empty tomb. She was the first person Jesus revealed himself to after his resurrection, and she was the person who carried the message that Jesus is alive!
Yes, she was part of the group of women who funded Jesus’ ministry, but her generosity was simply one sign of her deep love and devotion to God. She walked with Jesus; she stayed by him in his hour of suffering; she intentionally sought him out.
Friends, anyone can give. Anyone can write a check. Giving is simply a moment in time. Generosity, on the other hand, is cultivated over a lifetime of walking with Christ.
So, what does it take to become generous? As we learn from these women who encountered Jesus, it requires sacrifice, urgency, and love. This is not an exhaustive list, but I believe our giving would radically change if we embraced these three words.
As you reflect on your life, where do you feel God’s invitation to lean in?
Courtney Markley is a Certified Christian Financial Counselor, founder of the Center for Financial Discipleship, speaker, author, and the host of the Heart of Money podcast. She has been a featured speaker at NCF Georgia’s Entrusted women’s gathering. She specializes in working with leaders who want to avoid the dangers of wealth and pursue a higher kingdom calling. The desire of her heart is to see Christians fall more deeply in love with Jesus, pick up their cross, and follow him with everything they have.