Perspective

10 examples of generosity in the Bible and how to follow them

God is generous, and the Bible is full of examples of people, motivated by his goodness, who emulate this. King David poured out gifts from the national treasury and then from his personal reserves. A poor widow gave everything she had. A woman prepared a room for a traveling prophet. A group of poor Macedonians gave more than they dreamed they could.

Giving is a grace from God. He empowers us to give, fills us with joy when we do, and then often replenishes our supplies, so we can give more (2 Corinthians 9).

Let’s look at some of these biblical examples and see what we can learn from them.

1. Dorcas’ acts of charity (Acts 9:36-42) 

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died… All the widows stood by [Peter] weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.

Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was known for her charitable works. She helped the poor in whatever ways she was able. She gave her talent and time, making clothes for the needy.

How to follow: Use your time and talents to help those in need, whether it’s sewing clothes, cooking, fixing vehicles, or any other skill you have.

2. The Macedonian church’s generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2-5) 

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.

Despite their own poverty, the Macedonian church was remarkably generous in supporting others, and God miraculously made them more able to give than they’d expected.

How to follow: Give when you have plenty as well as when you don’t. Instead of dreaming about all the ways you will be more generous one day when you have the means, allow giving to others to be a constant privilege, a rich part of your life, no matter your circumstances. 

3. Ruth’s loyalty and generosity (Ruth 1-4)  

But Ruth [said to her mother-in-law], “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

…Boaz said, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband – how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done.” 

In the time this story took place, it was customary for widows to return to their homelands after the death of a husband to be cared for by their own people. But when Naomi’s husband and two adult sons all died within a short period of time, her daughter-in-law Ruth refused to leave Naomi to suffer alone. 

How to follow: Show kindness and loyalty to your family and friends, especially in times of need. Reach out to a widow or single mother you know, and offer her a helping hand.

4. Abraham’s hospitality (Genesis 18:1-8)  

Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way.

Abraham hurried to welcome three strangers and showed them great hospitality, asking Sarah to bake bread and slaughtering a valuable calf for their meal. What he did not know at the time was that he was entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2).

How to follow: Open your home and heart to others, even when you feel inconvenienced. Welcome and care for people who visit you, making them feel valued and loved. You never know when you might be entertaining angels, too.

5. The widow of Zarephath’s trust (1 Kings 17:7-16) 

She replied, “I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – and die.”

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

She went away did as Elijah had told her.

The Lord told Elijah to find this widow in Zarephath; she would provide for him. But when Elijah found her, the woman didn’t even have enough food for her son and herself to survive. Still, she had faith, and gave what the only things she had left. And the Lord filled her jars of flour and oil, ensuring they were never empty. 

How to follow: In all circumstances, Christian generosity is a response to faith. There will always be a reason, an excuse, not to give. This widow certainly had a good one. She and her son were starving to death. But she had gave anyway. Do not let your excuses keep you from the joy and blessings that come from giving. 

6. Zacchaeus’ repentance (Luke 19:1-10) 

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

When Zacchaeus, a tax collector, met Jesus, he repented of his life of greed. He pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay those he had cheated. The law required someone who had wronged another to pay back 120 percent; Zacchaeus offered to pay 400! And he offered to give half of his possessions to the poor (which was not required of him). He was so full of joy that generosity just poured out.

How to follow: Clothe yourself with the humility necessary to acknowledge and rectify past wrongs, even if it means making significant sacrifices. Allow God’s lovingkindness to lead you to repentance, and let yourself be filled with the joy of your salvation.

7. The Shunammite woman’s service to God’s messenger (2 Kings 4:8-37)

One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

This Shunammite woman didn’t just welcome and care for Elisha once or twice; she continually gave to him, even going so far as to build a room just for him. 

How to follow: Revolutionize the way you give by framing your giving to people as a gift offered to God. Make plans to regularly host those who serve God and set apart a space in your home for these holy visitors.

8. A little boy’s lunch (John 6:5-13)

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

Jesus accepted a young boy’s humble lunch of five barley loaves and two fish and performed the miracle of multiplying it to feed 5,000 people. On this day, a child in the crowd had more faith than Jesus’ own disciples. The Scripture doesn’t mention any concern about his gift not being enough. He just gave what little he had, and Jesus made it enough for a multitude.

How to follow: Be willing to share what you have, even if it seems insignificant, knowing that God is a multiplier of gifts. And your willingness to share your resources, talents, or time just might lead to unexpected blessings you would never even imagine.

9. Joseph of Arimathea’s gift in death (Matthew 27:57-60)

Joseph took [Jesus’] body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb . . .

After Jesus’ crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected member of the Jewish council, approached Pilate and requested permission to bury Jesus’ body. Without hesitation, he placed Jesus in his own tomb and sealed the entrance with a large stone.

How to follow: Let your awareness that all things belong to God grow in this way: Be willing to let go of and give your own resources, even if God is calling you to give something you’d planned to keep for yourself. 

10. The widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44) 

Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “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.”

Jesus observed a poor widow giving two small coins as an offering at the temple. He praised her for her great generosity, as she gave all she had (while also subtly calling attention to the fact that a widow should’ve been receiving support from the temple treasury, and she was paying into it!).

How to follow: Be willing to give sacrificially, even if it seems like a small amount, even if you’ve had a need that made you a recipient of generosity. Your generosity matters, no matter the size of your gift.

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