Topical Encyclopedia
Definition: The term "stingy" refers to an unwillingness to give or share, particularly in terms of money or resources. It is often associated with a lack of generosity and a focus on self-preservation at the expense of others' needs.
Biblical Context: The Bible addresses the concept of stinginess in various passages, often contrasting it with the virtues of generosity and kindness. Stinginess is generally viewed negatively, as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's character of abundant giving.
Old Testament References:1.
Proverbs 11:24-25 · "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This passage highlights the paradox that those who give freely often receive more in return, while those who are stingy may find themselves lacking.
2.
Proverbs 28:22 · "A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him." Here, the pursuit of wealth through stinginess is shown to be ultimately futile, leading to poverty rather than prosperity.
3.
Ecclesiastes 5:13 · "There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner." This verse suggests that hoarding wealth, a form of stinginess, can be detrimental to the individual.
New Testament References:1.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 · "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." The Apostle Paul encourages believers to give generously and willingly, contrasting this with the negative implications of stinginess.
2.
James 2:15-16 · "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?" This passage criticizes the failure to act generously and meet the needs of others, highlighting the emptiness of words without corresponding actions.
Theological Implications: Stinginess is often seen as a reflection of a lack of trust in God's provision. Believers are called to emulate God's generosity, recognizing that all resources ultimately belong to Him. The act of giving is not only a blessing to others but also a means of spiritual growth and alignment with God's will.
Practical Application: Christians are encouraged to examine their attitudes towards money and possessions, ensuring that they are not driven by fear or selfishness. Practicing generosity, whether through tithing, charitable giving, or acts of kindness, is a tangible expression of faith and obedience to God's commands.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Extremely close and covetous; cheap; unwilling to spend money; miserly; penurious; as, a stingy churl.
Library
Literary Expressions
... A cold, hard, frosty penuriousness was his prevalent characteristic [penuriousness =
stingy; barren; poverty-stricken]. A compassion perfectly angelic....
On Grace.
... this grace, for GOD gives it to him; but he has it not, because he does not make
himself ready to receive this grace as he should." GOD is notstingy of His...
But There is a Further Fact; Forgotten Also Because we Moderns...
... "Whenever you have a real difficulty," they say, "when a boy is bumptious or an
aunt isstingy, when a silly girl will marry somebody, or a wicked man won't...
About Generosity
... those who win admire you more than ever. Don't bestingy with your thoughts
about people. Always think the best about others, and...
Type of those Born under Cancer.
... The same by nature are wicked, crafty, proficients in plans, insatiable,stingy,
ungracious, illiberal, useless, forgetful; they neither restore what is...
How those who Maintain that a Man Can be Without Sin are Charged...
... when we are assisting the needs of the brethren, or ministering support to the poor,
the brightness of our cheerfulness is clouded over by astingy delay, nor...
Letter cxv. To the Heretic Simplicia.
... envious, ill-bribed, passionate, effeminate, slaves of the belly, mad for gold,
ruthless, grumbling about their dinner, inconstant,stingy, greedy, insatiable...
On the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of the Church
... But if God left you free, should you therefore bestingy with Him? Moreover, all
that we have comes from God, and should we return Him the least and the worst?...
Following "Whithersoever"
... Think of astingy "whithersoever"! Can you imagine such a combination? Yet many
professed followers fail in their duty to give to the cause....
To Defend the Weak, or to Help Strangers, or to Perform Similar...
... but as much as, kindly feeling demands, so that he may never seek another's favour
at the expense of the poor, nor show himself as either toostingy or too...
Thesaurus
Stingy (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Extremely close and covetous; cheap; unwilling to
spend money; miserly; penurious; as, a
stingy churl.
...Stingy (2 Occurrences).
...Stink (11 Occurrences)
stingy (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Meanly covetous or petty;stingy; closefisted.
2. (adv.) In a miser manner. Multi-Version Concordance...
Waits (21 Occurrences)
... morning. (See NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 28:22 Astingy man hurries after riches,
and doesn't know that poverty waits for him. (WEB NIV)....
Delicacies (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 23:6 Don't eat the food of him who has astingy
eye, and don't crave his delicacies: (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Mean (93 Occurrences)
... despicable. 7. (superl.) of poor quality; as, mean fare. 8. (superl.) Penurious;
stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality. 9...
Crave (9 Occurrences)
... violence. (WEB). Proverbs 23:6 Don't eat the food of him who has astingy
eye, and don't crave his delicacies: (WEB NIV). Proverbs...
Close (186 Occurrences)
... 27. (vt) Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; as, a close vote. 28. (vt) Difficult
to obtain; as, money is close. 29. (vt) Parsimonious;stingy. 30....
Stings (3 Occurrences)
Scarce (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of. 3. (superl.)
Sparing; frugal; parsimonious;stingy. 4. (adv.) Alt. of Scarcely....
Resources
What does it mean to rob God (Malachi 3:8)? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible support Communism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that my cup runneth over? | GotQuestions.orgStingy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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