{"id":1552,"date":"2026-01-26T20:09:42","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncfgiving.com\/georgia\/?page_id=1552"},"modified":"2026-02-23T15:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:54:32","slug":"giving-vs-generosity-vs-stewardship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ncfgiving.com\/georgia\/giving-vs-generosity-vs-stewardship\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving vs. generosity vs. stewardship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Becky D. Livingsto<\/em>n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raised in the Baptist church, I understood tithing as a clear and expected discipline of the Christian life. I responded faithfully \u2013 10 percent, no questions asked \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em> \u2013 a retreat designed to deepen one\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s teachings on giving, stewardship, and generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until this point, I\u2019d considered these to be nearly interchangeable and hadn\u2019t given much thought towards how they each serve as a reflection of our heart and an opportunity to respond to God\u2019s faithfulness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving <\/strong>is a verb \u2013 an active expression of faith. It means offering something back to God, returning a portion of what He has already given to us. It\u2019s not just a concept, but an intentional act<\/em> that acknowledges everything (and not just resources) we have belongs to Him. For years, that\u2019s where I lived \u2013 faithfully tithing, doing what I believed was right, actively participating in this ongoing response to God\u2019s generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generosity <\/strong>is a noun \u2013 a mindset marked by a willingness to share, even when it requires personal sacrifice. It\u2019s the posture of extending your resources, time, and talents in response to God\u2019s leading. More than a single act, generosity is a lifestyle \u2013 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\u2019s God who grants us that influence \u2013 not for our own gain, but to serve and uplift those around us. True generosity isn\u2019t limited to money or possessions; it\u2019s also about leveraging the platforms, relationships, and opportunities God has gifted to us for His purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stewardship <\/strong>is a verb \u2013 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\u2019s intentions. In my experience, it\u2019s the most challenging of the three, because it calls for constant alignment with God\u2019s purposes. Stewardship recognizes that we are not owners, but temporary managers of His resources. It often means setting boundaries \u2013 like defining a financial finish line, determining what\u2019s \u201cenough\u201d to live on, and intentionally releasing the rest for Kingdom impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three years after that JOG, I accepted Matthew\u2019s invitation to consider joining the NCF Georgia team as a Generosity Ambassador and Relationship Manager. Since 2023, it\u2019s been my deep honor to work with advisors, charities, individuals, and families, with a special emphasis on service to widows and women. It\u2019s been a natural continuation of the mission God had been shaping in me all along: helping others discover the joy of generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for ways to align your own heart with God\u2019s perspective on giving, I\u2019d encourage you to take the next step using some of the resources I\u2019ve personally found helpful through my own journey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n